U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ('HHMISTI; 

No    26. 



BULLETIN 


RECORD  OF   EXPERIMfc) 


IX  THE 


PRODUCTION  OF  SUGAR  FROM  SORGHUM 


IX 


18  8  9 

AT  CEDAR  FALLS,  IOWA;  RIO  GRANDE,  NEW  JERSEY;  MORRISVILLE5 

VIRGINIA  ;  fCENNER,  LOUISIANA;  COLLEGE  STATION.  MARYLAND; 

AND  CONWAY  SPRINGS,  ATTICA,  MEDICINE  LODGE, 

NESS   CITY,   LIBERAL,   ARKALON,   MEADE, 

MINNEOLA,  AND  STERLING,  KA.v 


BY 

H.    W.    WILEY, 

<   11  KM  EST. 


PUBLISHED   BY   AUTHORITY  OF  THE  SECRETARY   OF  AGR1CULT1 


WASH  INCH  F] 

'.<>  Y  i:i:  N  M  I".  N   I       PR]  N'T  INi       OF  I    I  I 

1  890 


jt^JM"*** 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    CHEMISTEY. 
BULLETIN  No.  26. 


RECORD  OF  EXPERIMENTS 


IN  THE 


PRODUCTION  OF  SUGAR  FROM  SORGHUM 


IX 


18  8  9 


AT  CEDAR  FALLS,  IOWA;  RIO  GRANDE,  NEW  JERSEY;  MORRISYILLE, 

VIRGINIA;  KENNER,  LOUISIANA;  COLLEGE  STATION, MARYLAND; 

AND  CONWAY  SPRINGS,  ATTICA,  MEDICINE  LODGE, 

NESS  CITY,  LIBERAL,  ARKALON,  MEADE, 

MINNEOLA,  AND  STERLING,  KANSAS. 


BY 

H.    W.    WILEY; 

CHPJMIST. 


PUBLISHED   UY    AITH01UTY  OK  THE  SECRETARY   OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

Q(  I  \  1:1:  n  M  in  t    P  BINTING    0  f  i'i  I II 
L890. 


PREFATORY    NOTE 


Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith,  for  your  approval  and 
inspection,  a  report  on  the  experiments  conducted  under  1113-  direction 
daring  the  past  year  relating  to  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from 
sorghum. 

Respectfully, 

H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist. 
Hon.  J.  M.  Rusk, 

Secretary. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/experimOOwile 


RECORD  OF  EXPERIMENTS  IN  THE  MANUFACTURE  OF  SUGAR 
FROM  SORGHUM  IN  1889. 


The  experiments  in  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  sorghum  conducted 
by  the  Chemical  Division  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  during  the 
season  of  1889  were  divided  into  two  classes,  viz: 

(1)  Culture  experiments;  having  for  their  object  the  improvement 
of  the  cane  in  respect  of  its  sugar-producing  qualities. 

("2)  Chemical  control  of  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  the  cane; 
having  for  its  object  the  demonstration  of  the  sugar-producing  power 
of  the  cane  entering  into  manufacture  and  the  location  of  sources  of 
loss. 

In  some  cases  the  two  classes  of  experiments  were  combined,  as  at 
Kenner,  Bio  Grande,  and  Attica ;  iu  others  they  were  entirely  sepa- 
rated, as  at  the  Maryland  stations  and  at  Sterling.  From  the  totally 
different  character  of  manufacturing  and  culture  experiments  it  is 
easily  apparent  that  only  the  best  results  can  be  obtained  in  each  case 
when  the  two  kinds  of  work  are  kept  entirely  separate. 

During  the  manufacturing  season  both  proprietors  and  chemists  must 
of  necessity  be  primarily  interested  in  saving  the  crop.  In  rhe  face  of 
this  necessity  the  purely  cultural  part  of  the  work  must  suffer.  This 
same  remark  may  be  applied  but  with  less  force  to  the  growing  season. 
The  important  work  at  this  time  is  to  produce  a  crop  read3~  for  the  mill, 
and  but  little  thought  and  attention  can  be  given  to  problems  of  pro- 
ducing new  varieties  and  improving  old  ones.  The  experience  of  the 
last  two  seasons  has  furnished  proof  of  the  truth  of  the  above  theoreti- 
cal conclusions.  Only  at  those  statious  where  no  manufacturing  opera- 
tions have  been  carried  on  have  the  most  valuable  results  been  obtained 
in  culture  work,  while  at  manufacturing  stations  the  work  of  the  chem- 
ical control  of  the  factory  has  been  made  of  paramount  importance. 

CUARACTER   AND   ALLOTMENT    OF    WORK. 

On  March  2,  1889,  the  bill  appropriating  the  unexpended  balance  of 
last  reason's  sugar  fund,  $59,984.77,  and  granting  an  additional  sum  of 
$25,000,  became  a  law. 

The  change  of  administration  which  was  to  take  place  od  the  it'n  of 
March  induced  the  retiring  Secretary  of  Agriculture  to  postpone  all 
arrangements  for  work  in  this  matter  f«»r  ins  successor.    The  delays  in- 


cident  to  the  induction  of  the  present  Secretary  into  office  prevented  any 
arrangements  being  consummated  for  the  work  until  April  4,  18S9.  At 
that  time  I  was  authorized  by  the  Secretary  to  make  arrangements  for 
certain  culture  experiments,  and  on  May  I,  1889, 1  was  directed  by  him 
to  visit  some  of  the  places  where  it  was  proposed  to  conduct  experiments 
and  make  a  study  of  the  conditions  presented.  On  May  G,  1889,  Mr. 
W.  W.  Cook,  of  Medicine  Lodge,  Kans.,  was  commissioned  by  the  Secre- 
tary as  an  agent  of  the  Department  to  act  subject  to  my  instructions. 

In  May  I  proceeded  under  authority  above  mentioned  to  Kansas  and 
Iowa  and  visited  the  stations  at  Attica,  Conway  Springs,  Medicine 
Lodge,  Sterling,  and  Cedar  Falls.  At  the  same  time  I  directed  Mr. 
Cook  to  visit  other  stations  where  sugar  factories  were  building. 

Information  respecting  proposed  operations  at  Rio  Grande,  Morris- 
ville,  and  Kenuer  was  also  obtained,  and  the  results  of  all  this  work 
were  collated  in  a  report  submitted  to  the  Secretary  on  June  1,  1889. 

The  general  conclusions  reached  by  a  study  of  the  data  obtained  were 
as  follows : 

GENERAL  CONCLUSIONS. 

"I  have  endeavored  to  lay  before  you  in  the  preceding  report  as  many 
of  the  details  of  the  present  condition  of  affairs  in  the  sugar  region  as 
are  necessary  for  a  proper  understanding  of  the  p resent  conditions  of 
the  problem.  It  appears  to  me  that  the  most  favorable  conditions  for 
success  in  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  sorghum  are  found  at  the 
three  stations  of  Conway  Springs,  Attica,  and  Medicine  Lodge.  Of 
these  three  the  station  at  Attica  is  the  most  advanced;  while  the  sta- 
tion at  Medicine  Lodge  is  the  only  one  which,  in  my  opinion,  has  a 
sufficient  water  supply.  In  case  no  delay  is  experienced  by  the  com- 
pany at  Medicine  Lodge  in  the  erection  of  the  machinery  I  shall  expect 
to  see  the  best  results  of  the  season's  work  at  that  place,  Attica  coining 
second,  and  Conway  Springs  third,  according  to  present  appearances. 

I  find  all  the  people  engaged  in  the  business  are  underestimating  the 
difficulties  to  be  encountered  and  overestimating  the  appliances  at  hand. 
Some  of  the  men  engaged  this  year  in  the  work  have  had  many  years' 
experience  and  yet  they  seem  to  be  still  oblivious  to  the  most  patent 
facts  which  have  been  developed  especially  by  the  experiments  of  the 
Department.  The  trouble  seems  to  arise  from  a  failure  to  investigate 
the  matter  from  a  non-partisan  basis.  One  of  the  great  difficulties  in 
all  the  sorghum  sugar  ventures  has  been  a  lack  of  capital,     in  order  to 

secure   a    sufficient    investment   of  funds,   I    fear  it    has  often  been  the 

custom  to  ignore  the  difficulties  of  the  problem  and  to  present  only  to 

the  intending  investor  the  rosy  side  of  the  Question.      It  would  appear, 

after  the  publication  of  Bulletin  No.  20,  in  which  the  great  danger  of 
undertaking  work  in  the  manufacture  of  sorghum  sugar  without  a 

Sufficient  water  Supply  was  fully  pointed  out,  that  one  of  the  first  things 
to  be  looked  after  by  the  intending  builders  would  be  a  supply  of  water 
Sufficiently  abundant  for  all   possible  emergencies.      Instead  of  having 


done  this  we  find  that  in  Kansas  only  one  factory  has  been  placed 
where  the  water  supply  is  practically  inexhaustible. 

The  chemical  force  at  my  disposition  was  assigned  as  follows  : 

To  Cedar  Falls,  A.  E.  Knorr;  Rio  Grande,  H.  E.  L.  LTortou,  assisted 
by  G.  E.  Uockwood;  Morrisville,  W.  Maxwell;  Conway  Springs,  E.  A. 
Von  Schweiuitz,  assisted  by  Mr.  Meechem  and  J.  G.  Hoffman;  Attica, 
Oma  Carr,  assisted  by  Lewis  EL.  Bradford;  Medicine  Lodge,  Hubert 
Edson,  assisted  by  T.  F.  Sanborn ;  Ness  City,  K.  P.  McElroy,  assisted  by 
S.  B.  Merrill ;  Liberal,  Arkalon,  and  Meade,  J.  L.  Fuelling,  assisted  by 
Erwin  E.  Ewell;  Sterling,  C.  A.  Crampton,  assisted  by  M.  B.  Clement. 

Only  one  chemical  outfit  was  provided  for  the  three  stations  at  Meade, 
Arkalon,  and  Liberal,  because  these  three  stations  were  under  the  same 
control  near  together  and  similarly  situated  in  respect  of  soil  and  cli- 
mate. Moreover  it  was  fouud  impracticable  to  equip  and  use  an  addi- 
tional number  of  laboratories. 

It  may  not  be  complimentary  to  the  agricultural  chemical  education 
given  in  our  schools,  but  nevertheless  it  is  true  that  it  was  impossible 
at  the  time  to  secure  additional  chemists  competent  to  exercise  the  con- 
trol desired.  Inasmuch  as  the  necessary  technical  knowledge  for  such 
work  is  easily  attained,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  another  season  will  see  a 
number  of  agricultural  chemists  prepared  for  such  work  sufficiently 
large  to  satisfy  all  demands.  In  view  of  the  rapid  increase  in  the  num- 
ber of  sugar  factories  requiring  chemical  help  it  might  be  well  to  con- 
sider the  propriety  of  establishing  a  special  school  in  which  instructions 
could  be  given  in  the  theory  of  sugar  production  and  manufacture,  the 
school  being  transferred  to  the  sugar  belt  during  the  manufacturing  sea- 
son for  practical  instruction.  Graduates  of  agricultural  colleges  who 
have  paid  proper  attention  to  chemistry  should  be  able  in  one  year 
under  proper  instruction,  as  outlined  above,  to  take  charge  of  chemical 
work  in  a  sugar  factory. 

Since  the  establishment  of  an  indigenous  sugar  industry  is  a  mat- 
ter of  the  greatest  national  importance,  it  would  seem  proper  for  Con- 
gress to  take  the  initiative  in  the  establishment  of  a  national  sugar 
school. 

In  addition  to  the  work  done  by  the  stations  named  tin1  chemical 
work  of  the  College  "Station  culture  experiments  was  done  in  this  labora- 
tory by  Messrs.  TreSCOtt  and  Dugan.  The  samples  of  cane  were  scut  in 
each  morning  by  express,  reaching  the  laboratory  l>\  9 o'clock. 

The  following  brief  statement  of  the  equipment  of  the  several  fac- 
tories in  Kansas  was  prepared  by  .Mr.  (I.  L.  Spencer: 

I  nr.   BOUT  HERN    KANSAS    BUQAB   COMPANY,  CONWAI    SPRINGS,   EAN8. 

•nil,  i  capacity.— The  capacity  of  the  works  is  estimated  at  200  tun>  of  olean 

per  t  \v«-iit y-fnur  llOQIS. 

Steam. — The  steam  is  supplied    by  four  mnHitubnlar  boilers  of  L50  horse-] 

carh. 

Cane  racks.— The  can.'  is  unloaded  directly  from  the  farmers1  wagons  upon  Long 


8 

racks,  whence  it  is  drawn  by  machinery  to  the  carriers.  These  racks  have  storage 
capacity  for  sufficient  cane  for  the  night's  work. 

Cutters. — The  preparatory  cutter  cousists  of  two  circular  disks  of  iron  fitted  with  a 
shaft,  etc.,  and  carrying  two  heavy  knives.  The  knives  are  bolted  to  the  opposite 
parts  of  the  circumference  of  the  disks  in  such  a  manner  that  when  the  cutter  is  in 
revolution  their  edges  describe  a  cylinder.  They  are  set  parallel  to  the  shaft.  A 
third  disk  of  lighter  weight  supports  the  knives  at  the  central  point  and  prevents 
their  springing. 

The  following  are  the  dimensions  of  this  cutter:  Diameter,  30  inches;  length  of 
knives,  3  feet  in  the  clear  ;  diameter  of  shaft,  4  inches;  thickness  of  the  disks  at  the 
rims,  4  inckes  ;  driving  pulley,  14  inches  diameter  by  8  inches  face.  The  speed  of  the 
cutter  is  approximately  230  revolutions  per  minute. 

The  carrier  ends  about  3  feet  from  the  cutter  and  a  few  inches  higher  than  the  dead- 
knife,  delivering  the  cane  upon  an  inclined  chute.  Two  rollers  forming  a  forced  feed 
carry  the  cane  to  the  knives.  The  cane  leaves  are  separated  from  the  cuttings  by  a 
series  of  fans. 

The  shredders. — The  shredders,  two  iu  number,  are  of  the  Hughes  system.  Their 
dimensions  are  as  follows:  Length  of  cylinder,  24  inches;  diameter,  8  inches;  shaft,  2£ 
inches  diameter;  driving-pulley,  12  inches  diameter  by  6  inches  face.  Each  cylinder 
carries  four  knives. 

The  cutters  and  shredders  were  built  by  the  Kilby  Manufacturing  Company. 

Diffusion  batteries. — The  works  are  provided  with  two  diffusion  batteries,  one  of 
which  was  constracted  and  operated  iu  1888.  This  battery  has  a  net  cane  capacity 
of  f>0  cubic  feet  per  cell.  The  upper  and  lower  doors  are  the  full  diameter  of  the  cell. 
Solid  rubber  gaskets  are  used  for  the  lower  doors  instead  of  the  hydraulic  closure.  It 
is  significant  that  the  battery  of  the  Attica  Company  by  the  same  designer  is  pro- 
vided with  the  hydraulic  closure.  The  juice  and  water  mains  are  3  inches  in  diam- 
eter. These  mains  are  too  small  for  rapid  work.  The  heatiug  surface  of  the  caloris- 
ators  is  also  insufficient.  A  comparison  of  the  analytical  work  of  this  battery  and 
the  cew  one  about  to  be  described  will  be  of  value  in  determining  the  influeuco  of 
the  form  of  the  cell  as  affecting  the  extraction  and  dilution. 

The  cells  of  the  second  battery,  constructed  by  the  Kilby  Manufacturing  Company, 
are  similar  in  form  to  those  atMagnolia  plantation  (see  Bulletin  21),  differing  only  in 
having  a  slightly  Larger  diameter  at  the  discharge  door  than  at  the  shoulder. 

The  object  of  this  increase  in  the  diameter  is  to  facilitate  the  discharge  of  the  ex- 
hausted chips.  The  lower  doors  are  operated  from  the  upper  platform  by  an 
hydraulic  attachment.  The  net  capacity  of  each  cell  is  65  cubic  feel  of  chips.  The 
jnice  and  water  mains  are  4  iuchesin  diameter.  This  battery  seems  well  proportioned 
for  rapid  and  effective  work. 

The  batteries  have  twelve  cells  each  ami  are  arranged  in  single  lines,  parallel  with 
one  another.    One  set  ofmen  operates  both  batteries. 

Exhausted   (hips.—  The  exhausted   chips  are  damped   into  carls  and  hauled  to  the 

fields. 

Clarification.— A  continuous  olarifier  (see  page 8,  Bulletin  17).  similar  to  that  em- 
ployed at  Fori  Sootl  In  1887,  eras  the  only  means  of  clarification  in  use  the  first  part 
of  the  season.  Thisapparal  as  was  insufficient  both  as  regards  capacity  and  efficiency. 
It  is  the  intention  (September  7,  1889)  to  increase  the  olarifier  capacity  by  the  addi- 
tion of  boi  era]  of  I  be  ordinary  form  ofolarifiei  t. 

Evaporation.— The  juice  from  the  olarifiers,  after  settling  in  tanks,  is  concentrated 
in  a  15-coil  Yaryan  doable-effect. 

Granulation.— The  sirups  are  boiled  to  grain  in  a  vacuum  pan  of  the  ordinary  form. 

Centrifugals.— &\x  Hepwortfa  centrifugals  are  employed  in  purging  the  sugars. 

Water  tupplu.r—The  water  supply  Is  drawn  partly  from  a  creek  and  partly  from  a 

,v.  II    used    las!    »eaSOn.     The    Watet    itom    this   latter   is   strongly    impregnated 

with  gypsum.    The  pipe  Line  from  tie-  creek  is  of  insufficient  oapaoity. 


THE   MEDICINE   LODGE   SUGAR  WORKS,   ELDRED   &    IIIXMAX,   PROPRIETORS,    MEDICINE 

LODGE,  KAXS. 

Estimated  capacity.— Capacity  200  tons  of  clean  cane  per  twenty-four  boars.  The 
machinery  is  probably  of  a  capacity  considerably  greater  than  the  guaranty. 

Buildings. — The  main  building  is  148  feet  by  43  feet,  the  boiler  house  50  feet  by  90 
feet,  the  laboratory  and  office  60  by  20  feet. 

Location  of  machinery. — The  water  pumps  and  the  receiving  tank  for  the  condensa- 
tion are  in  the  boiler-house. 

The  central  portion  of  the  main  building  rises  about  40  feet  above  the  main  roof 
and  contaius  the  pressure  tank  and  the  water  supply  for  the  Yaryan  and  the  strike- 
pan. 

All  the  pumps,  engines,  etc.,  are  on  the  ground  floor.  The  battery  extends  in  a 
single  line  parallel  with  the  length  of  the  building.  The  cutters,  shredders,  and  pans 
are  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  building  near  the  battery. 

The  Yaryan  double-effect  and  the  vacuum  pan  are  on  the  second  floor  opposite  the 
battery. 

The  centrifugals  are  in  the  east  end  of  the  building  conveniently  located  in  regard 
to  the  vacuum  pan  aud  the  hot  room. 

Steam. — The  steam  supply  is  obtained  from  six  125  horse-power  multitubular  boil- 
ers. 

Cane-racks.— The  racks  for  the  storage  of  cane  have  an  estimated  capacity  of  150 
tons. 

< 'utters  and  shredders. — The  cutters  and  shredders  are  from  the  same  patterns  as 
those  at  Conway  Springs.  The  leaves  are  separated  as  usual  by  means  of  fans,  aud 
are  then  carried  outside  the  building  by  a  Sturtevant  exhaust-fan. 

Diffusion  battery. — The  cells  of  the  battery  are  larger  iu  diameter  at  the  bottom 
than  at  the  top,  the  average  being  50  inches.  They  have  a  net  cane  capacity  of  105 
cubic  feet. 

The  shredded  cane  is  distributed  to  the  battery,  which  is  arranged  in  a  single  line, 
by  means  of  an  endless  belt.  The  battery  is  composed  of  twelve  cells  and  differs 
from  that  at  Conway  Springs  only  in  being  of  larger  dimensions. 

Exhausted  chips. — The  exhausted  chips  were  to  be  carried  100  yards  or  more  distant 
from  the  building  in  a  cable  car  provided  with  an  automatic  dumping  arrangement, 
but  owing  to  the  failure  of  thid  ear  the  chips  were  Unshed  iuto  a  creek  by  the  waste 
water  from  the  multiple-effect  and  strike-pan. 

Clarification. — The  ordinary  method  of  clarification  as  used  in  Louisiana  is  em- 
ployed. 

Evaporation  and  granulation. — A  15-eoil  Yaryan  double-effect  is  employed  for  the 
Concentration  of  the  juice,  and  a  vacuum  pan, 84  feet  diameter,  for  the  granulation  of 
t  be  sugars. 

Centrifugals. — The  centrifugal  equipment  consists  of  five  machines,  Bepworth'a 
latest  improved. 

The  water  supply. — The  water  is  derived  from  Elm  Creek.  This  is  the  only  sugar- 
house  visited  by  the  agent  of  the  Department  whose  owners  seemed  to  realize  the 
fact  that  a  sugar-house  requires  an  immense  volume  of  water.  The  water  pumps  are 
very  powerful  and  the  supply  of  water  ample. 

The  house  was  built  and  equipped  by  the  Kilby  Manufacturing  Company. 

Tin     aii  i.   \    BUG  \i:  •  OMPANY,    I  I  TH   \.    I  IN8. 

Estimated  capacity.— The  estimated  capacity  of  these  works  is  200  tons  per  twenty- 
four  hours. 

Steam.— Two  Ha/let  >n  tripod  boilers,  <mi.-  of  400  horse-power,  and  the  second  of 
900  horse-power  furnished  ample  steam  for  the  sngar*house.  A  Booney  automatic 
stoker  is  at  i ached  bo  <>iie  boiler, 


10 

Cane-racks. — The  cane  racks  have  storage  capacity  for  120  tons.  They  are  so  ar- 
ranged that  the  cane  can  be  delivered  to  the  carrier  in  bunches.  This  facilitates  the 
removal  of  the  seed  heads. 

(utter*  and  shredders. — The  cutters  (two)  do  not  differ  materially  from  those  at  Con- 
way Springs  and  Medicine  Lodge,  which  are  described  elsewhere  in  this  report.  The 
carriers  end  abruptly  a  few  inches  from  the;  cutters,  leaving  a  space  for  the  panicles, 
which  are  too  heavy  to  be  drawn  in,  to  fall  on  a  drag  below.  The  shredders  arc  also 
similar  to  those  at  Conway  Springs  and  Medicine  Lodge.  They  arc  two  in  number, 
each  cylinder  "24  inches  long  and  8  inches  diameter. 

Diffusion  battery. — The  diffusion  battery  single  lino  arrangement  consists  of  12 
cells  each  of  105  cubic  feet  capacity.  The  cells  are  provided  with  the  hydraulic 
closure.  The  cane  chips  are  automatically  treated  with  powdered  slacked  lime  be- 
fore passing  into  the  cells. 

Exhausted  chips. — The  exhausted  chips  are  passed  through  a  five-roll  mill  prepara- 
tory to  burning  under  the  boilers.  Owing  to  the  weakness  of  the  mills  the  extraction 
is  poor,  and  consequently  the  chips  are  in  a  poor  condition  for  use  as  fuel.  Notwith- 
standing these  difficulties  this  sugar-house  burns  a  portion  of  its  chips. 

Clarification. — A  continuous  clarifier  (see  page  8  Bulletin  17)  is  employed  in  the 
purification  of  the  juice. 

Filtration. — The  juice  from  the  clarifier  is  filtered  through  ordinary  presses.  He- 
fore  entering  the  filter-press  it  is  treated  with  live  steam,  the  steam  also  furnishing 
the  pressure  for  filtration. 

Evaporation. — A  double-effect  of  the  ordinary  system  (1,000  square  feet  heating  sur- 
face per  pan)  is  employed  for  the  concentration  of  the  juices. 

Extra  bottoms  are  provided  for  these  pans,  for  use  in  salt  manufacture.  Also  for 
this  reason  the  pans  are  very  high  in  proportion  to  their  diameter. 

Granulation. — The  sirups  are  boiled  to  grain  in  vacuum  pans  of  the  ordinary  form. 
This  house  is  provided  with  two  such  paus. 

Centrifugals. — The  centrifugals,  five  in  number,  are  of  the  Eepworth  make  (Weal 
Point  foundry). 

Water  supply. — The  supply  of  water  is  derived  from  a  small  creek,  and  is  hardly 
sufficient  for  the  needs  of  the  house. 

TIIK  SOUTHWESTERN  SUGAR  COMPANY.— WORKS   LOCATED  AT  MEADE,   ARKALOX,  AND 

LIBERAL,    CANS, 

These  three  houses,  built  by  one  manufacturer,  differ  but  little  in  arrangement  and 
are  of  equal  capacity,  hence  a  description  of  one  will  answer  for  the  three. 

Estimated  capacity. — The  rated  capacity  of  each  house  is  150  net  tons  per  twenty- 
four  hours. 

stram. — The  steam  is  supplied  by  six  multitubular  boilers  of  approximately  75 
horse-power  each. 

Cane  platform. — The  method  of  handling  the  eane  is  very  simple  and  deserves  espe- 
cial mention.  The  carrier  extends  the  entile  length  of  the  .enter  of  ;i  broad  plat- 
form; the  sides  of  the  carrier  form  a  guide  ami  supporl  for  a  movable  frame  to  which 
a  block  and  fall  are  attached.  When  a  load  of  cane  is  to  be  discharged,  the  wagon 
is  backed  up  to  the  platform,  the  frame  Is  moved  to  a  part  of  the  carrier  opposite, 
and  the  fall  is  attached  by  means  of  two  hooks  to  the  ropes  binding  the  cane:  the 
free  end  of  the  fall  is  passed  around  a  capstan  driven  by  power,  By  means  of  this 
arrangement  the  cane  is  easily  drawn  off  the  wagon  upon  the  platform  convenient  to 
the  carrier,  in  case  of  difficulty  in  backing  a  wagon  up  to  the  platform,  the  fall  can 
be  attached  and  power  be  applied  to  bring  il  to  the  proper  position.  The  platform 
has  capacity  for  the  storage  of  soffloient  oane  for  the  night  work. 

Cuttere.  The  preparatory  "i  ensilage  outter  la  built  upon  an  entirely  different 
principle  from  those  in  use  a!  other  sorghum  sugar  houses,  it  consists  essentially 
of  two  cranks  similai  bo  those  of  a  Looomotive,  connected  by  a  heavy  knife  j  this  lat- 


11 

ter  replacing  the  parallel  or  side  rod  of  the  locomotive.  It  may  be  seen  that  the 
revolution  of  the  crank-shaft  communicates  a  drawing  motion  to  the  knife.  An  or- 
dinary carrier  delivers  the  cane  to  suitable  feed-rolls,  which  in  turn  carry  it  forward 
upon  a  corrugated  dead-knife,  which  latter  prevents  slipping  when  the  knife  de- 
scends to  make  the  cut.  The  peculiar  arrangement  of  this  cutter  enables  it  to 
make  a  smooth  draw  cut,  without  splitting  the  cane.  This  insures  a  more  thorough 
removal  of  the  leaves  and  trash  by  the  fans.  The  seed  heads  fall  through  an  open- 
ing between  the  feed-rolls  and  the  cutter  upon  an  auxiliary  carrier,  as  in  the  Hughes 
system. 

The  dimensions  of  this  cutter  are  as  follows:  Knife  blade,  one-eighth  inch  thick, 
6  inches  broad,  and  50  inches  long ;  two  balance  wheels  28  inches  in  diameter  each  ; 
driving  pulley,  24  inches  in  diameter,  8  inch  face. 

The  shredders. — The  shredders  are  of  the  Hughes  system,  so  arranged  that  one  can 
be  employed  while  the  knives  of  the  second  are  being  reset.  These  machines  do  not 
differ  materially  from  those  in  use  in  the  factories  already  described  in  this  report. 
Dimensions:  Diameter  of  cylinder,  8  inches;  length,  24  inches;  shaft,  2£  inches  di- 
ameter; driving  pulley,  12  inches  diameter,  6  inch  face.  Each  cylinder  carries  six 
knives. 

Diffusion  battery. — The  battery  is  arranged  in  a  single  line  of  fourteen  cells.  Each 
cell  has  a  net  cubical  capacity  of  CO  feet.  The  lower  doors  are  of  the  full  diameter  of 
the  cells  and  are  operated  by  block  and  fall.  The  hydraulic  closure  is  employed  for 
these  doors.     The  juice  and  water  mains  are  3$  inches  in  diameter. 

Exhausted  chips. — The  exhausted  chips  fall  inio  a  cable  car  and  are  carried  ontside 
the  building. 

Clarification. — The  ordinary  method  of  clarification  is  employed. 

Evaporation. — The  juices  are  concentrated  in  a  Swenson  triple-effect  apparatus. 

Granulation. — The  sugars  are  grained  as  usual  in  a  vacuum  pan. 

Centrifugals. — The  centrifugal  equipment  consists  of  three  machines,  Hepworth's 
latest  improved. 

On  September  14  I  was  ordered  to  report  to  the  Secretary  in  Chi- 
cago and  accompany  him  on  a  tour  of  inspection  in  Kansas.  The  fac- 
tories at  Minneola,  Meade,  Arkalon,  Liberal,  Attica,  Medicine  Lodge, 
Conway  Springs,  and  Fort  Scott  were  visited  during  the  latter  part  of 
September.  The  condition  of  affairs  in  most  of  the  places  visited  was 
discouraging.  At  Minneola,  Meade,  Arkalon,  and  Liberal  the  drought 
had  cut  the  cane  crop  short  and  the  greater  number  of  the  fields  of 
cane  presented  plants  dwarfed,  immature,  and  shriveled,  thoroughly 
unlit  for  sugar  making.  Of  the  four  factories  fust  named,  only  one, 
viz,  at  Liberal,  was  found  in  operation.  At  Arkalon  the  work  of  "'ou- 
st met  ion  was  not  completed,  and  water  had  not  been  found  in  suffi- 
cient quantity  to  operate  the  factory  had  it  been  ready  for  work.  At 
Meade  attempts  were  still  making  to  secure  water.     At  M  inneola,  where 

the  roasting  process  was  on  trial,  no  water  was  available,  but  a  few 

pounds  Of  cane  were  passed  through  the  furnace  to  show  its  meehanisin. 

At  Attica  and  Medicine  Lodge  the  factories  were  found  in  operation, 

and  at  the  latter  place  we  found  the  only  Sufficient   water  supply  o\'  the 

stations  receiving  aid  from  the  Department.    At  Conway  Springs  the 

factory  was  really  Shut    down  for   lack  of  water  and   tor  some   repairs, 

but  was  set  in  motion  temporarily  for  inspection  by  the  Secretary.     At 

Port  Scot  t  the  factory  was  found  to  be  running  smoothh  .     The  original 
machinery   placed   in  this  factory  by  the  Department   is  still   largelj   in 


12 

use,  and  the  proprietors  expressed  their  entire  willingness  to  place  all 
desired  data  in  the  hands  of  the  Department. 

The  general  impressions  derived  from  this  hast}'  tour  of  inspection 
were  that  the  southwestern  part  of  Kansas  is  too  dry  for  growing- 
sorghum  for  sugar  under  the  present  methods  of  culture,  that  the  fac- 
tories in  that  portion  of  the  State  had  been  mostly  located  without 
proper  consideration  of  the  water  supply  and  possibilities  of  the  soil 
and  climate;  that  the  crop  of  cane  throughout  the  southern  central 
part  of  the  State  was  exceptionally  fine  and  contained  large  quantities 
of  available  sugar,  and  that  the  factories  in  the  part  of  the  State  last 
mentioned  were  far  inferior  to  the  capacities  expected  of  them,  with 
deficient  machinery,  in  many  respects  incapable  of  continuous  work, 
and  with  one  exception  operated  with  an  insufficient  supply  of  water. 
In  general  it  appeared,  from  what  could  be  observed,  that  financial 
success  could  hardly  attend  the  present  season's  work,  and  that  this 
unfortunate  condition  of  affairs  might  have  been  avoided  by  the  wiser 
investment  of  a  larger  amount  of  capital  directed  by  a  more  judicious 
and  extended  experience. 

REPORTS  OF  WORK  AND  OBSERVATIONS. 

In  order  to  obtain  as  much  information  as  possible  on  all  points  con- 
nected with  the  sorghum  sugar  industry  each  of  my  assistants  was 
directed  to  report  to  me  in  full  the  results  of  all  analyses,  facts  disclosed 
by  chemical  coutrol  of  manufacture,  and  all  data  relating  to  the  crop, 
quantity  of  cane  grown  and  purchased,  loss  in  cleaning  cane,  sugar 
and  molasses  made,  cost  of  manufacture,  and  all  other  data  of  a  nature 
to  elucidate  the  problem  of  sugar  making.  These  reports l  will  be 
found  appended  to  this  bulletin. 

It  is  due  to  the  young  men  who  had  charge  of  the  work  at  the  various 
stations  to  say  that  a  large  part  of  the  data  collected  was  obtained  by 
disregard  of  the  conventional  hours  of  official  labor.  A  culture  station 
or  a  sugar  factory  would  have  little  use  for  a  chemist  who  would  refrain 
from  presenting  himself  at  the  laboratory  before  9  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  at 
4  o'clock  p.  m.  promptly  stop  his  work. 

MANUFACTURE   AND   CHEMICAL   CONTROL. 
REPORT  OF   WORK    \r  CEDAR   FALLS. 

In  addition  to  the  report  of  the  chemist,  Mr.  A.  B.  Knorr,  of  the 
work  done  at  Cedar  Palls,  there  is  given  tin-  report  of  Bozarth  Broth* 
ers,  who  had  charge  of  the  technical  part  of  the  experiments. 

I  can  not  add  anything  to  tlif  discussion  of  the  data  obtained  at 
Cedar  Falls  more  pertinent  than  a  selection  from  the  report  made  to  the 
Secretary  in  dune  last. 


■On  account  ofinsnffioient  funds  to  print  the  whole  of  the  report  on  sugar  these  re- 
port i  are  printed  by  abstract  only.  For  the  lame  reason  only  a  small  portion  of  the 
body  <>i  i  be  report  ;i-  originally  prepared  is  fonnd  in  this  bulletin. 


13 

REPORT  OF   THE   PROSPECTS  AT  CEDAR   FALLS,    IOWA. 

il  Clinton  Bozarth  and  sons  have  for  several  years  conducted  very  suc- 
cessfully a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  sorghum  sirup  at  Cedar 
Falls,  Iowa.  The  company  owns  a  well-equipped  factory  and  about 
100  acres  of  land  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Cedar  Kiver,  imme- 
diately opposite  the  town  of  Cedar  Falls.  The  soil  is  very  sandy  and 
appears  well  suited  to  the  growth  of  sorghum.  The  company  has  this 
year  planted  about  100  acres  of  their  own  land  and  have  contracted 
with  adjoining  farmers  for  about  200  acres  more.  Three  hundred  acres 
of  cane  usually  afford  a  sufficient  amount  of  raw  material  to  keep  the 
factory  in  operation  from  twenty  to  tweuty-five  days.  During  the 
past  season  40,000  gallons  of  molasses  were  made  and  sold  at  a  fair 
profit.  Some  seasons,  however,  the  caue  is  killed  by  frost  before  it  has 
matured  and  the  output  of  molasses  is  very  much  diminished  in  quan- 
tity and  also  inferior  in  quality.  Killing  frosts  are  usually  expected 
early  in  September.  Cedar  Falls  is  situated  in  the  northeastern  portion 
of  Iowa  in  the  latitude  of  Dubuque.  1  have  no  hesitancy  in  saying 
that  all  expectations  of  ever  successfully  establishing  a  sorghum  sugar 
industry  in  such  a  locality  must  end  in  disappointment.  The  company 
has  a  fairly  good  mill,  a  Louisiana  No.  2,  manufactured  by  George  L. 
Squire,  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  convenient  pans  for  clarification  and 
evaporation  of  juices.  The  factory  is  without  doubt  one  of  the  best  ap- 
pointed in  the  United  States  for  the  manufacture  of  sorghum  sirup.  I 
regret  exceedingly  that  the  proprietors  have  acquired  the  idea  of  mak- 
ing sugar,  since,  as  I  said  above,  it  will  be  quite  impossible  for  them  to 
succeed  from  a  commercial  point  of  view.  Some  seasons,  however,  the 
cane  is  quite  rich  in  sugar  and  large  quantities  of  molasses  have  granu- 
lated and  several  thousand  pounds  of  sugar  have  been  made  by  sep- 
arating these  crystals  from  the  molasses  in  a  centrifugal  machine. 
Perhaps  one  reason  why  the  members  of  this  company  have  been  led 
to  believe  that  they  could  manufacture  sugar  successfully  is  on  account 
of  a  recent  report  issued  by  the  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  of 
low  a,  in  which  the  profitable  manufacture  of  sugar  in  that  State  is 
regarded  as  a  possibility.  The  financial  difficulties  which  such  a 
report  might  cause  by  encouraging  the  investment  of  capital  in  hope- 
less enterprises  could  possibly  be  very  great.  I  discouraged  the  mem- 
bers of  the  company  in  so  far  as  possible  from  undertaking  such  ex- 
perimental work  in  that  locality,  but  did  not  succeed  in  convincing 
them  of  the  impracticability  of  the  endeavor.  They  are  very  much  in- 
clined to  go  ahead  with  the  $5,000  which  have  been  conditionally 
promised  them  by  the  Department,  and  erect  a  small  vacuum  pan  and 
centrifugal  plant  for  the  purpose  of  making  these  experiments.  I  as- 
sured the  company  that  the  Department  would  not  probably  aid  it  to 
a  greater  extent  than  $5,000,  and  asked  them  to  make  a  statement  of 

the  probable  cost    of  the  experiments  and  see  if  they  could  be  made 

within  the  sum  specified. 


14 

"  I  greatly  fear  that  should  the  company  undertake  the  experiments 
the  cost  will  be  greater  than  the  estimates  and  that  therefore  the  vent- 
ure will  be  a  source  of  financial  loss  instead  of  profit;  nevertheless,  T 
have  laid  before  them  the  dangers  which  they  will  undergo  and  the 
difficult  character  of  the  work  which  they  are  to  undertake,  and  if  they 
enter  into  the  matter  it  will  be  after  full  information  in  regard  to  all 
points  on  which  they  should  be  placed  on  their  guard." 

REPORT  ON   WORK   DONE  AT  RIO   GRANDE. 

In  Mr.  Ilorton's  report  of  the  work  at  the  Rio  Grande  station  will  be 
found  an  extension  of  the  general  report  on  operations  at  this  place 
during  the  past  eight  years  contained  in  Bulletin  No.  20.  The  analyti- 
cal data  of  each  year  were  copied  by  Mr.  Horton  from  the  record  books 
of  the  station  kindly  placed  at  his  disposal  by  Mr.  Hughes. 

The  most  discouraging  feature  connected  with  the  Rio  Grande  ex- 
periments  is  found  in  the  deterioration  of  the  cane  for  sugar-making 
purposes.  For  several  years  in  succession  the  cane  crop  at  Rio  Grande 
has  been  unfit  for  making  sugar.  The  causes  of  this  deterioration  are 
not  easily  discovered.  Careful  inquiry  fails  to  show  any  exposure  to 
admixture  with  broom-corn,  a  cause  which  according  to  Leplay  led  to 
the  total  failure  of  the  sorghum  plant  in  southern  France.  It  is  pos- 
sible that  the  habit  of  fertilizing  at  Rio  Grande  to  secure  a  large  ton- 
nage may  have  led  to  some  depreciation  of  the  sugar  content  of  the 
crop.  The  character  of  the  climate  may  have  also  had  something  to  do 
with  it.  It  is  now  firmly  established  that  sorghum  develops  its  maxi- 
mum content  of  sugar  in  a  season  with  little  rain,  which  is  a  condition 
of  a  maximum  quantity  of  sunlight.  The  records  of  the  signal  stations 
appended  to  Mr.  Ilorton's  report  show  that  during  the  years  in  which 
observations  were  made  these  conditions  of  maximum  richness  in  the 
cane  were  not  always  fulfilled.  Experience  has  further  shown  that  the 
largest  and  finest  seed  heads  do  not  make  the  richest  canes,  yet  it  is  a 
natural  custom  to  select  the  finest  looking  heads  for  seed.  This  mis- 
take will  be  remedied  just  as  soon  as  the  production  of  seed  for  plant- 
ing and  the  growing  and  manufacturing  of  the  crop  shall  have  become 
separate  fields  of  labor,  as  they  must  necessarily  be.  The  quantity  of 
seed  required  to  plant  an  acre  of  sorghum  is  so  small  that  both  farmer 
and  fabricant  can  well  afford  to  purchase  scientifically  selected  seed  at 
a  high   price 

The  method  which  should  be  pursued  is  the  following:  A  siugle  seed 
head  from  a  cane  of  high  available  sugar  content  should  be  planted 
apart  from  all  possible  danger  of  admixture,  There  will  then  be  pro- 
duced a  large  number  of  canes  of  great  uniformity  of  character  and  of 
high  Bugar  quotient.    The  seed  from  their  growth  will  be  sufficient  to 

plant  many  acres.  Every  field  of  cane  grown  for  sugar-making  pur- 
poses should  Ik-  thus  produced,  since  it  would  be  impracticable  to  fur- 
nish the  requisite  quantity  of  seed  directly  from  the  polarized  canes.   The 


15 

great  advantage  that  would  accrue  to  the  sorghum  sugar  industry  from 
this  method  of  seed  selection  is  apparent  without  further  elucidation. 

On  account  of  the  low  sucrose  in  the  juice  no  attempt  was  made  to 
manufacture  sugar  except  from  cane  from  a  few  small  areas  which  indi- 
cated a  sufficient  quantity  of  sugar  to  secure  crystallization.  In  the 
case  of  the  small  area  which  furnished  the  2,900  pounds  of  sugar  made, 
it  is  difficult  to  see  why  the  cane  in  that  portion  of  the  field  was  sac- 
charifacient,  while  in  other  portions,  where  all  conditions  were  appar- 
ently identical,  it  was  not  so.  This  is  another  illustration  of  the  vaga- 
ries of  the  sorghum  plant,  to  which  I  have  often  called  attention,  and 
which  serve  to  characterize  it  as  one  of  the  plants  most  susceptible  to 
variation  known. 

From  the  small  area  of  2.9  acres  in  the  upper  end  of  the  Morris  Cresse 
field,  31.9  tons  of  cane  (whole)  were  harvested.  The  mean  content  of 
sucrose  in  this  juice  was  11.14  per  cent.  On  the  basis  of  88  per  cent, 
juice  in  the  cane,  each  ton  thereof  contained  1,700  pounds  of  juice.  The 
percentage  of  extraction  in  the  battery  during  this  run  was  about  83 
per  cent.  The  total  sucrose  per  ton  of  cane  was  19G.1  pounds.  There 
was  obtained  per  ton  99  pounds,  polarizing  85  degrees=77.3  pounds  pure 
sugar  per  ton.  The  loss  of  sugar  in  the  battery  in  manufacture  aud  in 
the  molasses  amounted  to  118.8  pounds  per  ton. 

No  other  attempts  were  made  to  produce  sugar,  although  two  other 
sections  of  the  same  field  showed  a  sufficiently  rich  cane  for  that  pur- 
pose. One  of  these  produced  cane  yielding  10.G7  per  cent,  and  another 
9.G7  per  cent,  sucrose  in  the  juice.  These  canes,  however,  were  not 
worked  for  sugar.  Inasmuch  as  over  200  acres' were  cultivated  in  cane 
and  only  2.9  acres  of  this  worked  for  sugar,  the  net  result  of  the  sea- 
son's work,  in  so  far  as  sugar-making  is  concerned,  was  decidedly  nega- 
tive in  character. 

The  results  of  the  last  three  years'  experimental  work  at  Rio  Grande 
clearly  demonstrate  the  fact  that  the  only  liope  of  successful  sugar- mak- 
ing from  sorghum  in  southern  New  Jersey  must  rest  upon  the  produc- 
tion of  cane  decidedly  richer  in  sugar  than  the  average  crop  produced 
at  that  place  since  a  record  of  its  character  has  been  kept.  The  char- 
acter of  the  climate  and  soil  would  indicate  that  the  sugar  beet  might 
be  very  successfully  cultivated,  and  it  would  be  extremely  interesting 
to  have  some  comparative  experiments  made  with  that  plant.  There 
are  many  reasons  for  expecting  that  the  results  of  such  experiments 
would  be  of  the  most  hopeful  character. 

MAilllM'i:V    USED   at   BIO   GRANDE 

The  machinery  used  ;it  Bio  Grande  was  of  the  same  general  type  afl 
that  described  in  Bulletin  20.    The  batter  v  constructed  on  the  Bughes 

Bystem  of  open  cells  and  dipping  baskets  was  entirely  new  and  of 
greater  Capacity  than  those  heretofore  used.  Many  of  the  nieehanieal 
difficulties   encountered    in  operating   the   first    batteries   of  this  kind 


16 

were  remedied  in  the  new  apparatus,  and  its  work  was  smooth  and 
generally  satisfactory  during  the  entire  season.  The  mean  percentage 
of  sucrose  left  in  the  chips  as  far  as  determined  for  the  season  was 
about  2.5  per  cent.  Based  on  the  usual  data  this  shows  a  mean  extrac- 
tion of  80  percent.  A  special  trial  of  the  capabilities  of  the  battery 
under  the  most  favorable  conditions  was  made  on  October  12.  The 
mean  weight  of  chips  in  each  basket  was  307  pounds.  The  meau  quan- 
tity of  water  in  each  cell  368  pounds ;  the  time  of  contact,  i.  e.,  the  time 
each  basket  remained  in  cell  before  transfer  to  next  cell,  was  one  and  a 
half  minutes,  during  which  time  the  basket  was  dipped  twice  in  the 
same  cell.  In  the  Hughes  battery,  consisting  of  ten  cells,  there  is  an 
additional  cell  called  the  eleventh,  extraneous  to  the  others,  and  into 
which  the  juice  is  drawn  from  the  main  battery.  Into  each  charge  of 
juice  thus  drawn  the  basket  of  chips  next  to  be  introduced  into  the  bat- 
tery is  introduced  and  allowed  to  remain  for  one  minute.  The  tempera- 
ture of  the  juice  in  the  eleventh  cell  was  about  208°  Fahr.  The  conse- 
quence of  this  immersion  is  at  first  the  enrichment  of  the  juice  by  con- 
tact with  the  fresh  chips.  These  chips,  however,  enter  the  circuit  of  the 
regular  battery  with  a  less  content  of  solid  matters  proportionate  to  the 
quantity  given  up  by  the  first  immersion.  The  final  result  must  be  to 
dilute  the  juice  of  the  main  battery  to  the  extent  of  the  matters  ex- 
tracted by  the  eleventh  cell.  In  other  words,  the  main  battery  works 
constantly  on  impoverished  chips  and  the  concentration  of  the  diffu- 
sion juices  therein  is  diminished  to  that  extent.  The  final  result  of  this 
process  is  therefore  exactly  the  same  as  working  with  eleven  cells  in 
regular  circuit.  There  is  no  compensation  lor  the  complicated  mechan- 
ism of  having  one  of  the  cells  in  a  separate  circuit. 

The  whole  system  of  open-diffusion  cells — which  by  the  way  was  the 
first  form  of  diffusion  apparatus  used — has  long  since  been  shown  to  be 
inferior  in  every  respect  to  the  closed  system ;  and  there  is  no  con- 
clusive evidence  from  the  present  year's  experiments  of  any  feature 
either  of  economy  or  advantage  in  the  cost  and  operation  of  the  appa- 
ratus. Designed  originally  to  make  sugar  making  economical  on  a 
small  scale,  it  has  gradually  expanded  into  proportions  of  considerable 
magnitude  without  having  given  any  indications  of  its  ability  to  secure 
the  original  aim. 

in  fact  there  is  now  no  more  evidence  t\an  formerly  of  the  possibility 
of  manufacturing  sugar  economically  on  a  small  scale. 

It  is  our  duty  to  speak  positively  on  this  point.  Every  attempt  to 
produce  SUgar  on  the  form  or  by  combination  of  a  few  farmers  must  at 
present  end  in  disaster,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  the 
future  will  show   no  greater  encouragement  to  small    factories.     The 

manufacture  of  sugar  requires  such  extensive  and  costly  machinery  aa 

to  relegate  it  to  individuals  or  corporations  with  Large  capital  and  ex- 
pensive apparatus. 
Three  seasons  of  experiment  with  the  Hughes  system  of  small  fac 


17 

tories  have  only  confirmed  the  original  views  expressed  from  this  office 
and  serve  to  emphasize  more  strongly  the  absolute  necessity  of  the  best 
machinery  constructed  on  the  line  of  two  great  principles  of  sugar  man- 
ufacture, viz,  closed  extraction  apparatus  and  evaporation  in  vacuo.. 
With  our  present  knowledge  it  must  be  said  that  all  attempts  not  fall- 
ing within  these  lines  must  end  in  failure.  To  the  farmer  I  say,  con- 
tent yourself  with  producing  a  crop  rich  in  sugar  and  as  high  in  tonnage 
as  can  be  to  obtain  the  object  just  named.  To  the  manufacturer  I  say, 
use  the  best  forms  of  closed  diffusion  batteries,  simple  clarification  with 
lime,  and  the  best  methods  of  evaporation  in  vacuo. 

There  is  one  condition,  however,  in  which  I  see  a  possibility  of  use- 
fulness for  the  Hughes  system  of  diffusion.  There  are  two  considera- 
tions which  are  kept  in  view  in  the  extraction  of  sugar,  viz,  (1)  the  com- 
pleteness of  the  extraction  and  (2)  the  density  of  the  extracted  juice. 
Theoretically  the  density  of  the  diffusion  juice  can  be  made  equal  to 
that  of  the  juice  in  the  cane  by  an  infinite  number  of  cells  in  the  bat- 
tery, or  an  infinite  number  of  dips  in  the  Hughes  apparatus.  At  first 
in  starting  a  battery  the  hot  water  is  speedily  charged  with  the  solids 
in  solution  in  the  cane  cells,  being  brought  into  direct  contact  with  the 
normal  chips.  In  the  regular  running  of  a  diffusion  battery  quite  a  dif- 
ferent condition  obtains.  The  extracted  juice  is  brought  ouly  once  into 
contact  with  fresh  chips.  We  may  regard  normal  diffusion  as  such  a 
conduct  of  the  work  as  allows  complete  equilibrium  to  be  established 
between  the  circumfluent  and  intercellular  juices,  which  in  each  case 
are  equal  in  volume.  The  rate  of  diffusion  depends,  as  is  well  known, 
on  the  size  of  the  chips  and  the  temperature  of  the  juice.  The  smaller 
the  chip  and  the  higher  the  rise  of  temperature  the  more  speedily  will 
this  equilibrium  be  established.  The  size  of  the  chip,  however,  has 
more  intluence  on  this  operation  that  the  temperature.  The  theoretical 
normal  diffusion  would  take  place  in  a  single  cell  surrounded  by  the 
diffusion  juice.  The  superposition  of  cells  such  as  is  found  in  the  or- 
dinary cane  chips  and  beet  slicings  entering  the  battery  requires  that 
the  diffusion  should  take  place  in  the  exterior  layer  of  cells  and  from 
one  direction  before  it  can  begin  with  the  interior  layers.  The  time 
required  for  the  diffusion  through  a  single  cell  wall  containing  within 
a  solution  of  sugar  is  not  instantaneous  but  extremely  minute.  Bui  the 
sum  of  the  intervals  required  for  the  penetration  of  hundreds  of  cells 
successively  becomes  quite  large. 

In  a  normal  diffusion  of  twelve  contacts  or  twelve  dips  the  relative  con- 
centration of  the  diffusion  juice  compared  with  the  original  juice  in  the 
cells  of  the  plant  can  be  calculated  from  the  formula  given  in  Bulletin 
No.  2,  page  10.  In  practice,  however,  a  larger  quantity  of  liquid  is 
used  than  in  norma]  diffusion  and  the  time  ofoontacl  i^  not  long  enough 

in  each  case  to  secure  complete  equilibrium.  With  the  apparatus  now- 
iu  use,  therefore,  we  can  not  hope  to  obtaiu  a  relative  density  between 
diffusion  and  normal  juice  of  more  than  so  to  LOO,     Any  proposition 

17.V.I7— Bl  i.i-  26 2 


18 

looking  to  the  procuring  of  normal  diffusion  juice  by  allowing  the  time 
of  contact  to  be  extended  beyond  reasonable  economic  limits  must  be 
rejected  for  practical  reasons.  By  reducing  the  size  of  the  diffusion 
chips  the  normal  diffusion  juice  can  be  more  readily  obtained.  In  the 
case  of  the  beet,  by  reducing  it  to  a  fine  palp  the  normal  juice,  i.e.,  com- 
plete equilibrium,  is  obtained  in  so  sbort  a  time  as  to  be  practically 
instantaneous.  On  this  fact  Pellet  has  based  his  process  for  the  in- 
stantaneous analyses  of  the  beet  by  the  aqueous  method.  No  rise  of 
temperature  is  required  for  this  purpose,  the  equilibrium  being  estab- 
lished almost  instantly  in  the  cold.  Sugar  (janes,  both  sorghum  and 
sugar  cane,  reduced  to  a  fine  pulp  would  act  in  the  same  way.  The 
mechanical  difficulties  of  doing  this  are  much  greater  than  in  the  ease 
of  the  beet  on  account  of  their  more  fibrous  structure. 

Nevertheless  a  cane  shredder  might  be  constructed  which  would  fur- 
nish a  pulp  approximating  in  fineness  the  beet  pulp  above  mentioned. 
In  applying  such  a  process  practically,  however,  a  point  might  be 
reached  in  the  ordinary  battery  where  the  fineness  of  the  chips  would 
impede  and  finally  prevent  the  circulation.  This  would  arise  from  the 
fact  that  the  pressure  in  such  a  battery  is  always  in  the  same  direction 
save  in  the  first  filling  of  the  cell.  The  almost  solid  pulp  thus  formed 
might  be  more  or  less  impervious  to  the  circulation  of  the  diffusion 
liquids.  Now,  if  such  a  fine  pulp  can  be  produced  in  an  economical 
way,  it  might  be  worked  to  great  advantage  in  the  Hughes  battery.  In 
dipping  the  basket  into  the  cell  of  liquid  the  pulp  would  be  raised  and 
loosened  and  the  perfect  mixture  of  the  pulp  and  liquid  would  be  at 
once  secured.  The  diffusion  would  take  place  almost  instantly,  the 
baskets  could  be  quickly  removed,  and  a  small  battery  be  made  to  do  a 
great  deal  of  work.  In  such  a  case  I  can  easily  see  how  a  Hughes  bat- 
tel y  might  be  made  to  operate  in  a  successful  manner.  The  fact 
that  such  a  diffusion  could  be  carried  on  at  ordinary  temperatures 
would  allow  a  purer  juice  to  be  obtained,  since  at  high  temperatures 
starch  is  rendered  pasty  and  pectic  substances  rendered  soluble. 

Normal  diffusion  as  described  is  secured  when  the  added  diffusion 
water  is  exactly  equivalent  in  volume  to  the  volume  of  juice  in  the  sub- 
stance tinder  diffusion  and  where  temperature  and  time  of  contact  are 
so  adjusted  as  to  secure  in  each  case  complete  equilibrium  between  the 

crvstallizable  bodies  in  the  intercellular  substance  and  the  circumfluent 
Liquid.  When,  therefore,  ii  is  ( (aimed  that  diffusion  juice  oi  equal  den- 
sity witli  the  intercellular  juice  is  obtained  in  chips  of  the  size  usually 
employed  it  is  at  once  evident  thai  the  operation  has  been  carried  on 

in  some  abnormal  way,  or  that  some  factor  in  the  process  lias  been 
omitted.  In  the  case  cited  in  Mr.  Norton's  report  it  seems  that  the 
diffusion  juice  was  almost  equal  in  density  to  the  normal  jnice  in  the 
cam-  chips  employ  ed. 

The  mean  tempera!  are  of  t  lie  cells  during  the  trial  run  was 97°  0.  and 

the  total  time  of  contact  seventy-two  minutes  for  each  cell.     The  enor 


' 


19 

mous  surface  exposed  iii  the  cells  and  by  the  chips  when  lifted,  and  by 
the  juice  dropping  back  into  the  cells  from  the  uplifted  baskets,  doubt- 
less cause  sufficient  amount  of  evaporation  to  account  for  this  abnormal 
result.  To  work  the  battery  in  the  way  taken  to  secure  the  result 
would  be  far  from  economical  and  the  results  obtained  are  interesting 
more  from  their  abnormal  than  practical  interest. 

CULTURE  EXPERIMENTS   AT   RIO   GRAXDE. 

In  addition  to  the  manufacturing  experiments  at  Rio  Grande  some 
interesting  data  were  collected  concerning  culture.  A  special  plat  of 
ground  comprising  several  acres  was  laid  out  in  plats  and  planted  with 
some  thirty  varieties  of  seeds  grown  by  the  Department  at  Sterling. 
Unfortunately  the  seeds  were  found  to  be  mixed,  and  although  a  vigor- 
ous growth  on  all  but  a  few  plats,  yet  owing  to  the  admixture  above 
noted  aud  the  lateness  of  the  season  no  analytical  examination  of  these 
plats  was  undertaken.  Some  most  interesting  problems  were  presented 
in  connection  with  the  Morris  Cresse  field.  This  field  is  fully  described 
in  the  appended  reports. 

The  time  between  plowing  the  upper  and  lower  end  of  the  field  was 
only  four  days,  and  this  interval  can  hardly  account  for  the  great 
difference  in  the  composition  of  the  cane  grown  on  the  different  sec- 
tions. The  cane  was  harvested  in  six  sections  and  the  mean  content  of 
sucrose  in  the  jnice  from  each  section,  beginning  with  the  upper  end 
of  the  field,  was  7.G2,  8.09,  7.25,  9.G7,  10.67,  and  11.14  per  cent,  respect- 
ively. 

The  expectation  of  Mr.  Hughes  to  compensate  for  late  plowing  and  a 
consequently  short  season  by  nitrogenous  fertilizing  is  a  rather  surpris- 
ing one.  The  well-known  properties  of  nitrogen  in  promoting  vegeta- 
tion and  consequent  longevity  of  the  plant  would  lead  us  to  expect  just 
the  contrary  effect  described  by  Mr.  Hughes.  A  quick-maturing  plant, 
though  one  yielding,  of  course,  less  tonnage  per  acre,  would  have  been 
secured  by  growing  the  crop  in  unclovered  fields  and  with  a  fertilizer 
in  which  phosphorus  and  potash  were  the  predominant  elements.  Con- 
sidering the  late  plowing  and  the  wet  season  a  more  unfortunate  selec- 
tion of  fertilizer  could  hardly  have  been  made.  It  may  be  that  the  low 
Sucrose  content  appearing  in  the  Rio  Grande  canes  during  the  past  few 
years  is  partly  due  to  the  prominence  given  nitrogen  in  the  fertiliza- 
tion. Yet,  on  this  point  no  statements  can  be  made  with  authority,  but 
only  by  inference,  tor  the  history  of  fertilizing  sorghum  is  still  too 
young  to  form  a  basis  for  any  practical  conclusions.  The  results  of  a 
single  season's  work  in  such  a  case  can  only  be  accepted  as  indicative 
and  not  as  final.     .Many  years  of  varied  trial  in  seasons  of  every  kind  and 

on  diversified  soils  must  elapse  before  a  final  judgment  can  be  formed. 
The  beginning  math'  in  New  Jersey  is  valuable  and  will  doubtless  lead 
in  time  to  more  valuable  theoretical  and  practical  results.  The  varia- 
tions in  the  sugar  content  of  the  various  sections  of  the  field  Illustrate 


20 

the  difficult}'  heretofore  encountered  iu  obtaining  sorghum  of  high  uni- 
form character  for  manufacturing  purposes.  In  uniformly  dry  and  mild 
seasons,  such  as  have  been  experienced  in  Kansas  during  the  past  two 
years,  a  reasonable  degree  of  uniformity  has  been  reached  where  the 
samples  have  been  taken  over  widely  extended  areas.  In  less  favored 
localities  all  hope  of  securing  such  uniformity,  it  seems,  must  be  aban- 
doned. The  culture  results  at  Rio  Graude  serve  to  confirm  the  opinion 
hitherto  expressed  by  me  that  the  area  for  successful  sorghum  sugar 
growing  is  a  restricted  one,  and  that  iu  the  work  of  the  last  three 
years  in  central  Kansas  most  valuable  indications  have  beeu  obtained  of 
the  probable  location  of  the  most  favorable  soil  and  climate  for  sorghum. 
This  opinion  is  not  expressed  to  deter  any  one  from  making  culture 
experiments  in  other  localities,  but  rather  to  call  attention  to  the  most 
promising  field  of  operations.  Sorghum  at  present  is  so  far  inferior  to 
the  sugar  beet  and  sugar  cane  as  to  require  the  help  of  the  most  fa- 
vorable soil  and  climate  in  order  to  maintain  its  existence  as  a  sugar- 
producing  plant  It  is  the  part  of  wisdom  iu  such  cases  to  follow  the 
most  promising  path  and  to  leave  the  more  difficult  ones  for  future 
explorations. 

MANUFACTURING  WORK  AT    MORRISVILLE. 

The  results  of  the  manufacturing  trials  at  Morrisville  are  tersely 
summarized  by  Mr.  Maxwell  at  the  close  of  his  report  iu  the  following 
words:  "If  a  remunerative  crop  had  been  produced  the  mill  was  not 
in  order  to  work  it,  and  if  the  mill  had  been  ready  to  work  there  was 
not  a  crop  to  be  worked." 

The  mill  was  hastily  constructed  and  presented  in  rather  an  unusual 
degree  the  difficulties  attending  the  trials  of  new  machinery. 

The  battery  on  the  Hughes  system  was  designed  to  have  a  capacity 
of  45  tons  of  field-cane  per  day,  but,  by  defects  in  the  machinery 
for  cleaning  and  shredding  the  cane,  rarely  more  than  20  tons  were 
worked.  No  sugar  whatever  was  made  and  the  molasses  manufactured 
was  of  a  very  inferior  quality.  It  is  the  old  story  so  familiar  in  sorghum 
literature— imperfect  machinery, disastrous  delays,  vexations  aeeidents. 
Surely  the  science  of  mechanics  and  the  skill  of  the  machinist  were 
never  so  coy  with  any  other  industry. 

CULTURE   EXPERIMENTS  at    MORRISVILLE. 

The  result  of  the  culture  experiments  at  .Morrisville  is  rather  the  record 

of  the  successive  disastrous  floods  which  prevailed  over  the  cis-Alle- 
ghanian  pari  of  the  United  States  during  the  season  of  L889than  of  any 

valuable  information  gained. 
The  agricultural  part  of  the  work  at  Morrisville  was  probably  only 

exceeded    in    CmdeneSS    by  the   character  of   the    machinery    provided. 

We  find  a  history  of  partial  plowing,  dodging  of  stumps,  planting  in 


21 

mud,  cultivating  in  rain,  and  gathering  a  scanty  harvest  out  of  a  wil- 
derness of  weeds.  The  chemical  data  tabulated  by  Mr.  Maxwell  show 
without  further  comment  the  character  of  the  crop  produced.  It  is 
gratifying,  however,  to  note  that  on  many  farms  adjacent  to  the  planta- 
tion of  the  Virginia  company  crops  of  sorghum  were  produced  which 
in  some  instances  with  careful  manufacture  would  have  yielded  a  fair 
return  of  sugar.  Yet  it  is  scarcely  probable  that  the  soil  aud  climate 
described  by  the  report  will  be  able  to  compete  with  the  broad  and  fer- 
tile fields  and  genial  suns  of  central  southern  Kansas  and  northern 
central  Indian  Territory  and  Oklahoma. 

MANUFACTURING  EXPERIMENTS   AT   KENNER. 

The  manufacturing  experiments  at  Kenner  were  conducted  on  a  small 
scale  and  are  to  be  considered  rather  as  the  completion  of  the  culture 
experiments  than  an  attempt  to  produce  sugar  economically.  The  per- 
centage of  sugar  in  the  cane  recovered  in  the  diffusion  juice  was  uni- 
formly high,  the  sugar  left  in  the  waste  chips  amounting  to  only  about 
,3  per  cent.  The  hue  work  of  this  small  battery  furnishes  a  continued 
demonstration  of  the  merits  of  this  system  of  diffusion  first  set  forth 
for  sorghum  in  Bulletin  No.  2,  and  shows  its  immense  superiority  even 
for  small  workings  over  the  system  used  at  Rio  Grande.  The  capacit  ies 
3f  the  two  batteries  are  almost  the  same.  Allowing  25  pounds  of  chips 
for  each  cubic  foot  of  space  in  the  Kenner  cell,  the  total  capacity  of  each 
cell  in  pounds  is  337.5,  which  is  practically  the  same  as  the  baskets  at 
Bio  Grande.  When  the  convenience  of  heating,  the  ease  of  charge  and 
discharge,  the  saving  of  energy  in  moving  the  diffusion  juices  instead 
af  the  whole  system  of  baskets  with  their  loads  of  chips  are  taken 
into  consideration  the  preference  even  for  a  small  factory  must  be  ac- 
corded to  the  closed  system  of  diffusion.  Another  practical  point  is  of 
importance.  In  the  experiments  at  Kenner  considerable  quantities  of 
sugar  were  obtained  from  canes  quite  as  poor  as  those  worked  at  Rio 
Srande,  and  which  by  the  system  there  used  gave  no  sugar  whatever, 
rhisfact,  however,  was  not  needed  to  demonstrate  the  danger  of  work- 
ing cane  juices  for  sugar  without  neutralizing  their  natural  acids  and  by 
evaporating  them  to  sirup  in  open  pans.  The  work  at  Kenner  shows 
(hat,  by  careful  treatment  and  proper  technical  and  chemical  control, 
sugar  can  often  be  made  from  juices  of  an  almost  hopeless  poverty. 

The  danger  of  allowing  sorghum  canes  to  remain  exposed  to  hot  suns 

liter  cutting  has  long  been  recognized.  Some  of  the  manufacturing 
ilata  at  Kenner  would  seem  to  indicate  that  t  he  danger  has  been  magni- 
fied. The  cane  shipped  from  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Maxwell  may  be 
taken  as  an  illustration  of  this.  After  nearly  a  week  of  exposure  it 
was  found  to  have  suffered  bat  little  inversion.    It  maj  be,  however,  that 

the  cane  was  exposed   in  a   pile  of  considerable  magnitude,  and  in  BQOfa 

Itoes  the  interior  canes  are  protected.  Again  it  mast  not  be  forgotten 
that  these  canes  suffered  such  iujarj  in  passing  through  the  battery  as 


22 

to  render  them  practically  unfit  for  sugar  making.  The  general  result 
of  the  work  at  Kenner  in  respect  of  the  inversion  of  sorghum  cane  forms 
no  certain  evidence  of  immunity  from  danger  by  omitting  to  deliver 
sorghum  cane  at  the  factory  directly  after  it  is  harvested.  Perhaps  a 
delay  of  twenty-four  hours  may  be  contemplated  without  alarm,  but  a 
greater  certainty  of  a  large  sugar  product  will  attend  the  direct  trans- 
fer of  the  cane  from  the  field  to  the  factory.  The  difficulty  of  purging 
sorghum  massecuite  in  the  centrifugals  is  not  one  peculiar  to  Louisiana, 
through  it  perhaps  exists  there  in  a  greater  degree  than  in  Kansas. 
Uniformly  canes  poor  in  sucrose  and  of  low  purity  furnish  a  massecuite 
difficult  to  dry.  This  defect  is  one  of  great  annoyance  to  the  manufact- 
urer, who  is  obliged  to  supply  his  factory  with  a  centrifugal  surface  out 
of  all  proportion  to  the  yield  of  sugar.  The  observation  of  Dr.  Stubbs, 
however,  is  doubtless  correct  that  sorghum  grown  in  a  warmer  climate 
develops  a  greaterquantity  of  gums  and  affords  a  massecuite  of  a  more 
refractory  nature.  Sorghum  grown  in  high  northern  latitudes  appears 
to  have  a  higher  purity  than  that  grown  father  south,  and  experience 
must  decide  how  far  purity  of  juice  must  be  sacrificed  to  length  of 
season. 

In  point  of  fact  the  difference  in  seasons  between  central  southern 
Kansas  and  northern  Louisiana  is  so  slight  as  to  lead  to  the  belief 
that  the  sorghum  sugar  industry  might  be  profitably  introduced  in  the 
latter  locality. 

Both  the  culture  and  manufacturing  results  obtained  at  Kenner 
from  sorghum  canes  grown  in  the  sugarcane  belt  confirm  my  previously 
expressed  opinion  that  a  soil  and  climate  suitable  to  the  production 
of  sugar-cane  are  pooly  adapted  to  the  production  of  sorghum  sugar. 
(Bulletin  20,  p.  11.) 

The  low  tonnage  and  refractory  nature  of  the  sorghum  heretofore 
produced  on  sugarcane  lands  afford  no  reasonable  hope  of  an  eco- 
nomical supplementary  or  preliminary  season  of  sorghum  in  cane  sugar 
factories. 

It  must  also  be  noted  that  if  the  drying  of  the  sugar  is  to  be  attended 
with  difficulties  described  in  the  Kenner  report,  all  hope  of  establishing 
the  industry  even  in  northern  Louisiana  must  be  abandoned.      It  seems 

reasonable  to  suppose, however,  that  with  a  large  strike  pan  permitting 
the  building  of  a  larger  crystal  the  delay  in  drying  the  sugar  can  be 
Very  tnUOh  reduced. 

In  the  light  of  these  experiments  made  on  a  small  scale,  it  would 
be  rash  to  invest  capital  in  northern  Louisiana  in  a  sorghum  sugar  fac- 
tory. Future  experiments,  however,  may  be  able  to  show  more  favor 
able  data. 

CULTURE   EXPERIMENTS   IN    LOUISIANA. 
The  general  results  of  t  he  culture  experiments  carried  on  in  Louisiana 

corroborate  the  data  obtained  at  Sterling  In  respect  of  the  generally 
valueless  character  of  the  new  varieties  of  sorghum.    The  best  results  in 


23 

general  are  shown  with  the  standard  varieties  which  have  been  chiefly 
cultivated  during  the  past  few  years.  There  are,  however,  some  nota- 
ble exceptions  to  the  rule  both  as  regards  time  of  maturity  and  sugar 
content. 

While,  therefore,  most  of  the  work  in  testing  new  varieties  is  of  a  nu- 
gatory character,  there  have  been  obtained  in  particular  cases  results 
which  justify  the  wisdom  of  extensive  trials.  A  notable  example  of  this 
is  shown  in  Xo.  G  of  the  varieties  grown  at  the  Baton  Rouge  station,  de- 
scribed as  jSTo.  39  from  South  Africa,  and  which  gave  a  juice  having  the 
following  composition : 

Total  solids  (Brix)  19.7  per  cent. ;  sucrose,  15.6  per  cent.;  glucose, 
1.28  per  cent. 

A  single  seed  head  from  such  a  variety  would  furnish  seed  in  the 
third  year  to  plant  cane  extensively,  and  could  the  juice  from  such 
cane  be  worked  as  well  as  sugar  cane  juice,  it  must  yield  easily  200 
pounds  sugar  per  ton.  The  culture  experiments  at  Baton  Rouge  were 
in  some  respects  the  most  interesting  of  all  those  conducted  in  Louisiana. 
The  seeds  planted  at  the  station  were  grown  by  the  Department  last 
year  at  Sterling  and  it  was  hoped  to  secure  a  large  number  of  compara- 
tive trials  with  them  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  The  misfortunes 
which  attended  these  trials  at  Rio  Grande,  Morrisville,  and  Conway 
Springs  have  been  noted. 

The  observation  made  by  Dr.  Stubbs  in  respect  of  the  value  of  the 
Links'  Hybrid  variety  is  corroborated  by  experience  in  Kansas  and 
other  places.  Practically  the  several  varieties  of  sorghum  known  as 
Orange  with  its  nearly  related  subvarieties  have  beeu  found  to  be  the 
most  valuable  for  sugar-making  purposes,  but  the  analyses  given  in  the 
report  would  certainly  justify  the  preference  given  to  the  Links'  Hybrid 
in  comparison  with  several  other  varieties,  but  practical  trials  must  be 
awaited  before  a  final  decision  can  be  reached. 

The  improvement  in  existing  varieties  which  may  be  secured  by  the 
methods  inaugurated  in  our  culture  experiments  and  carried  out  on  the 
lines  of  investigation  marked  out  will  certainly  lead  not  only  to  the 
permanent  development  of  canes  with  higher  sucrose  co-efficients  and 
lower  glucose  ratios,  but  also  with  lower  content  of  starch,  amvlo-dex- 
trines  and  gums,  and  other  bodies  interfering  with  successful  manu- 
facture. 

MANUFACTURING    EXPERIMENTS   AT  CONWAY   8PRING8. 

The  first  and  most  radical  mistake  math'  by  the  management  was  in 
attempting  to  remodel  the  old  factory.  The  first  factory  was  a  striking 
illustration  of  the  surprising  degree  of  unlit  ness  of  means  to  ends  which 
can  be  secured  by  insufficient  capital,  assisted  with  lack  of  mechanical 

training,  deficiency  in  engineering  skill,  and  dear!  h  of  t  [me  lor  prepara- 
tion. Industry  ,  ability  in  other  directions,  and  deep  ent  QUSiasm  for  the 
work  could  not  offset  the  deficiency. 


24 

After  the  expenditure  of  nearly  or  quite  $30,000,  however,  it  was 
shown  by  the  season's  work  that  the  new  factory  was  little  if  any  supe- 
rior to  the  first.  The  meager  record  of  but  little  over  4,000  tons  of  cane 
worked  during  a  long  and  favorable  season  is  a  true  but  complete  story 
of  almost  total  inefficiency.  During  all  this  time,  as  Mr.  von  Schweinitz 
has  set  forth,  the  expenses  connected  with  the  work  were  quite  or  nearly 
as  great  as  if  the  factory  had  been  working  up  to  its  full  estimated 
capacity. 

In  a  dispassionate  review  of  the  manufacturing  work  of  the  place  it 
seems  to  me  patent  that  could  the  factory  have  worked  regularly  200 
tons  of  cane  per  day,  the  end  of  the  season  would  have  disclosed  a  hand- 
some profit.  It  certainly  is  not  unreasonable  to  ask  for  a  factory  which 
can  do  this  the  season  through.  Yet  it  must  be  confessed  that  the 
sorghum  sugar  industry  has  never  had  the  help  of  such  a  factory.  It 
has  never  had  a  fair  chance  from  a  merely  mechanical  point  of  view. 
One  source  of  weakness  at  Conway  Springs  deserves  more  than  a  passing 
notice,  viz.,  the  insufficiency  of  the  water  supply.  This  was  one  of  the 
greatest  difficulties  besetting  the  first  season's  work  as  has  already  been 
noticed  in  Bulletin  20.  Within  a  mile  of  the  spot  where  the  factory  was 
built  is  a  stream  of  good  water  which  would  have  proved  abundant  for 
even  a  much  larger  factory ;  yet  both  old  and  new  factory  were  built 
without  considering  the  absolute  necessity  of  abundaut  water.  A  wise 
capitalist,  seeking  a  safe  investment  for  his  money,  had  he  decided  on 
building  a  sorghum  factory  would  have  located  it  on  the  banks  of  the 
stream.  But  the  town  of  Conway  Springs  voted  public  bonds  ostensiby 
to  build  water-works,  but  in  reality  as  a  bonus  to  the  sugar  company. 
Therefore  the  factory  was  built  rather  to  secure  the  bonds  than  to  make 
sure  of  an  abundant  supply  of  water.  As  a  result  the  town  lias  been 
Supplied  with  a  saturated  solution  of  gypsum  masquerading  under  the 
name  of  water  and  a  bewildering  agglomeration  of  tanks,  pulleys,  pomps, 
and  debris  has  been  operating  as  a  sugar  factory.  Such  will  continue 
to  be  the  history  of  bonded  sugar-houses  built  without  design  and 
operated  without  aim. 

These  strict ures,  apparently  severe,  are  not  made  in  any  personal 
Sense.  The  promoters  and  builders  of  the  factory  doubtless  acted  in 
accordance  with  the  dictates  of  their  judgment,  and  there  is  no  ques- 
tion of  their  honesty  of  purpose.  It  was  simply  impossible  to  build  and 
Operate  a  sugar  factory  under  such  auspices,  and  it  would  have  been 
the  part  Of  wisdom  to  have  refrained  altogether  from  the  attempt.    The 

record  of  the  chemical  control  of  manufacture  at  Conway  Springs  is  of 

the  highest  interest  Again  as  last  year  the  cane  crop  at  Conway 
Springs  was  the  best  suited  to  sugar  -making  of  any  in  the  country.  The 
mean  percentage  of  sucrose  in  the  juice  of  the  chips  entering  the  I  wo 
batteries,  lor  the  present  season  was  11.98  against  L2.42  for  the  preced- 
ing season.  The  pel'  cent,  of  liber  in  the  chips  was  1  1.11),  giving  a  juice 
percentage  of  88.51,     The  total  juice  in  the  cane  was  therefore   1770.2 


25 

pounds  per  ton,  and  the  quantity  of  pure  sucrose  231.1  pounds  per  ton. 
Especially  encouraging  are  the  results  of  the  trial  run  in  the  four  days 
mentioned  in  the  report  during  which  the  machinery  worked  fairly  well, 
averaging  150  tons  of  cane  per  day.  During  this  time  it  was  clearly  dem- 
onstrated that  a  fair  profit  could  be  made,  selling  first  sugars  at  6 
cents  per  pound  and  molasses  at  10  cents  per  gallon.  The  achieve- 
ment of  four  days  may  easily  be  made  the  history  of  a  whole  season, 
and  even  with  better  results.  In  such  a  soil  and  climate,  and  with  such 
a  factory  as  abundant  capital  and  proper  skill  might  supply,  the  sorg- 
hum sugar  industry  might  flourish  without  the  aid  of  the  State  bounty. 
When  we  take  into  consideration  the  burdens  with  which  the  sea- 
son was  commenced,  the  inexperience  of  the  managers,  the  cram  pings 
of  insufficient  capital,  the  internal  dissensions  of  the  company,  the 
shortness  of  the  water  supply,  and  the  defects  of  the  machinery  it  must 
be  confessed  that  the  company  has  made  a  good  showing  and  deserves 
praise  for  its  heroic  struggles.  Its  record  of  two  seasons  has  shown  to 
intending  inventors  the  best  sorghum-cane  region  in  the  State  or  the 
country,  and  there  is  abundant  water  in  the  county  by  which  to  build 
a  first-class  factory. 

CULTURE  EXPERIMENTS  AT  COXWAY  SPRINGS. 

The  slight  decrease  in  the  percentage  of  sucrose  in  the  juice  of  the 
canes  of  Conway  Springs  as  compared  with  the  season  of  1888  is  prob- 
ably due  to  the  cause  assigned  by  Mr.  Von  Schweinitz,  viz,  a  better 
season  for  growth,  producing  a  much  larger  tonnage  and  juicier  canes. 

It  was  gratifying  to  note  that  the  total  substances,  not  sucrose,  in  the 
juice  decreased  in  a  somewhat  greater  proportion  than  the  sucrose,  thus 
securing  a  slight  gain  in  purity.  It  will  be  interesting,  however,  to 
watch  the  sucrose  content  of  the  cane  for  several  seasons  to  see  if  it 
continue  to  show  the  same  high  qualities.  The  special  plot  culture  ex- 
periments were  made  subsidiary  to  the  regular  crop  work,  and  hence  were 
rendered  valueless  for  comparative  purposes.  The  mixed  character  of 
the  canes  growing  on  these  experimental  plots  was  another  illustration 
Of  the  danger  of  planting  seeds  taken  from  a  whole  plot  and  from  canes 
grown  from  anselected  seeds.  The  value,  however,  of  even  a  partial 
beginning  in  scientific  seed  selection  is  shown  by  the  history  given  of 
the  amber  cane.  Not  only  Conway  Springs,  but  also  Attica  and  Medi- 
cine Lodge,  were  benefited  by  this  selection.  The  high  sucrose  co-effi- 
cient obtained  at  Conway  Springs  during  two  successive  years  marks 
this  locality  one  of  the  best  yet  discovered  for  Borghum  growing.  Within 
a  radius  of  ten  miles  from  the  village  thousands  of  acres  of  land  could 
be  planted  to  cane,  and  a  stream  of  considerable  magnitude  flowing 
through  the  center  of'this  area  would  supply  the  water  required  l\\  8ei 

era!  factories.  The  methods  of  cultivation  employed  are  of  the  simplest 
kind,    it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  thai  with  deeper  plowing  or  subsoil- 

log  the  crop  would  be  more  successfully  brought  through  a  very  dry 


26 

season,  and  that  a  more  careful  cultivation  would  not  only  increase  the 
tonnage,  but  also  the  sugar  co-etlicient.  The  mean  content  of  sucrose 
in  the  chips  entering  the  two  batteries  shows  a  crop  having,  over  wide 
areas,  a  pretty  uniform  value.  The  usual  violent  variations  in  individ- 
ual canes,  however,  are  found  in  the  table  giving  the  composition  of  the 
juices  from  single  canes.  In  all  cases  the  purity  is  based  on  the  total 
solid  matters  in  the  juice  as  indicated  by  the  Brix  spindle.  The  true 
purity  is  really  about  10  per  cent,  higher  than  this,  since  it  has  been 
shown  that  the  Brix  spiudle  reads  some  10  per  cent,  higher  than  the 
actual  quantity  of  solids  in  solutiou. 

MANUFACTURING   EXPERIMENTS   AT  ATTICA. 

The  most  striking  feature  of  Mr.  Carr's  report  is  the  statement  of 
losses  in  manufacture.  The  next  point — probably  it  should  be  first — is 
the  old  story  of  imperfect  machinery.  When  the  actual  working 
capacity  of  the  factory  is  compared  with  the  estimates  placed  upon  it 
by  the  builders  before  the  manufacturing  season  opened  it  will  not  be 
a  matter  of  surprise  to  read  of  the  financial  disasters  attending  its 
operation.  The  quantity  of  field  cane  which  it  was  designated  to  work 
was  250  tons  per  day.  The  actual  quantity  used  was  less  than  100 
tons.  The  crop  which  the  farmers  were  induced  to  plant  was  large 
enough  for  the  estimated  capacity.  The  delay,  worry,  and  loss  from  an 
agricultural  point  of  view,  due  to  deficient  capacity,  need  not  be  de- 
scribed. 

It  is  strange  to  note  that  one  of  the  weakest  points  in  the  house  was 
found  in  the  multiple  effect  vacuum  pan.  As  Mr.  Carr  justly  remarks, 
this  style  of  apparatus  has  long  since  passed  the  experimental  stage. 
I  have  noticed  a  strange  tendency  among  those  about  to  embark  in 
sorghum  work  to  adopt  new  and  untried  devices  for  old  and  reliable 
processes.  It  is  true  that  such  processes  are  very  often  great  improve- 
ments on  those  now  in  use,  but  they  should  never  be  depended  on  to 
save  a  great  financial  venture  until  they  have  been  thoroughly  tried. 
Thus  in  sorghum  factories  have  been  seen  diffusion  batteries  of  new 
design  and  novel  arrangement,  pumps  of  peculiar  construction,  boilers 
of  unknown  possibilities,  and  evaporating  pans  heralded  only  by  the 
unproved  claims  of  their  inventors.  The  readiness  with  which  many, 
perhaps  nearly  all,  who  have  devoted   themselves  to  sorghum  listen  to 

golden  tales  of  profit,  the  perversity  with  which  they  shut  their  ears 

and  eyes  to  the  plainest  evidence  of  impending  difficulty,  the  alacrity 
with  which  they  lake  into  their  confidence  the  boomer  of  bonds  and  the 

maker  of  machines,  are  some  of  the  most  discouraging  features  of  the 

industry.  It  is  high  time  that  the  era  of  blind  enthusiasm  be  passed, 
and  it  is  quite  late  enough  for  men  to  look  at  sorghum  as  the\  do  at 
iron  or  wheat. 

The  heating  surface  required  for  evaporating  sorghum  diffusion  juice 
eater,  oaeterti  paribus,  than   for  sugar  cane  and  beet  juices.     This 


27 

arises  from  the  readiness  with  which  the  lime  salts  and  gums  coat  the 
copper  tubes.  In  order  to  secure  good  results  the  apparatus  should  be 
boiled  out  every  two  or  three  days  with  soda-lye,  and  diluted  sulphuric 
acid,  or  thoroughly  scraped.  The  capacity  of  the  pan  should  be  large 
enough  to  permit  this  necessary  cleaning  without  impediug  the  regular 
working  of  the  house.  Approved  patterns  of  pan  should  be  used  of  a 
kind  to  avoid  loss  of  sugar  in  the  condensation  water,  and  permitting 
easy  cleaning.  A  pan  which  would  evaporate  50,000  gallons  of  pure 
water  in  a  day  might  fall  far  short  of  evaporating  50,000  gallons  of 
water  from  diffusion  juice. 

The  great  loss  of  35  per  cent,  of  the  weight  of  the  cane  in  cleaning  is 
also  to  be  noted.  The  mean  percentage  of  leaves  and  seed  heads  on 
the  total  weight  of  the  cane  in  its  maximum  maturity  is  about  25.  In 
a  climate  like  that  of  Attica,  where  the  lower  leaves  especially  become 
dry,  the  weight  of  leaves  and  tops  for  the  whole  season  ought  not  to  be 
greater  than  20  per  cent,  of  the  whole.  When  it  is  further  remembered 
that  much  of  the  crop  is  worked  after  frost  this  number  becomes  even 
less.  The  loss  above  noted  must  therefore  have  arisen  from  cutting  the 
stems  of  the  seed  heads  too  long  or  by  blowing  out  the  short  sections  of 
the  cane  in  the  cleaning  apparatus.  There  is  no  possible  excuse  for 
such  a  loss,  since  it  is  not  difficult  to  arrange  a  cleaning  apparatus  in 
which  these  losses  can  be  avoided.  The  loss  of  sugar  in  the  exhausted 
chips  points  to  some  fault  in  conducting  the  diffusion  which  could  be 
easily  remedied.  The  tendency  to  set  the  shredding  machines  to  cut 
larger  chips  as  the  season  advances  is  one  which  should  be  promptly  re- 
sisted. The  extraction  during  the  first  period  of  work  was  almost  too 
low  for  satisfaction,  but  when  the  percentage  of  sucrose  in  the  exhausted 
chips  during  the  second  period  was  allowed  to  run  up  to  1.57  the 
process  became  a  travesty.  During  this  period  also  the  greatest  quan- 
tity of  cane  was  worked.  Such  poor  work  is  calculated  to  bring  dis- 
credit on  the  whole  process.  The  loss  of  sugar  passing  into  the  molasses 
is  largely  beyond  the  control  of  the  fabricant,  yet  skillful  boiling  and 
careful  manipulation  in  the  hot  room  and  at  the  centrifugals  will  reduce 
this  loss  to  a  minimum.  On  account  of  the  difficulty  with  which  sor- 
ghum massecuite  is  purged  it  will  be  found  advisable  in  my  opinion  to 
make  the  hot  room  of  the  factory  of  large  capacity,  large  enough  if  pos- 
sible to  bold  a  week's  run,  and  keep  it  at  from  110°  to  120°  Fab.  The 
sugar  which  would  pass  into  the  molasses  on  direct  ceutrifugalling  from 
the  strike  pan  would  be  largely  crystallized  and  saved  by  seven  days 
standing  in  the  hot  room.  The  objection  to  such  a  course  would  he  the 
large  hot  room  and  great  number  of  sugar  wagons  required.  It  re- 
solves itself  into  a  question  of  economy  which  can  only  be  answered  by 

experience. 

The  experiment  of  Altering  the  diffusion  juice  by  keeping  it  at  the 
boiling  point  with  a  jet  of  live  steam  succeeded  beyond  all  expectation. 
Mr.  Deming  deserves  great  credit  for  persevering  against  great  diffl- 


28 

culties  in  this  matter.  The  juice  evidently  suffers  considerable  dilu- 
tion by  the  process  and  the  quantity  of  foreign  matter  removed  is  small. 
Xoue  of  the  soluble  lime  salts  nor  gums  that  subsequently  coat  the 
evaporating  tubes  and  clog  the  centrifugal  sieves  is  removed  by  this 
filtration  and  it  is  an  open  question  whether  it  will  prove  to  be  an 
economical  process.  Since  the  only  beneficial  effect  of  the  steam  jet  is 
secured  by  the  rise  of  temperature,  it  might  be  well  to  inquire,  in  case 
filtration  should  be  deemed  advisable,  whether  this  might  not  be  secured 
in  some  more  economical  way. 

The  study  of  the  inversion  in  the  battery  forms  an  interesting  chap- 
ter of  the  report.  The  inversion  is  naturally  computed  from  the  glu- 
cose ratios  of  the  fresh  chip  and  diffusion  juices.  The  uniformly  mean 
increase  in  the  glucose  ratio  may  arise  from  actual  inversion  of  the  su- 
crose during  diffusion  or  to  the  more  ready  diffusibility  of  the  re- 
ducing sugar.  These  sugars,  however,  being  less  crystallizable  than 
sucrose  would  lead  us  to  suppose  that  they  would  not  be  more  diffu- 
sible. It  is  therefore  probable  that  some  of  the  sucrose  is  inverted 
daring  the  process  of  diffusion.  On  the  other  hand  it  is  well  known 
that  the  organic  acids,  even  acetic,  act  on  dilute  solutions  of  su- 
crose very  slowly,  and  therefore  the  total  effect  in  any  ease  must  be 
small.  The  additional  fact  that  even  when  the  diffusion  juices  are 
made  neutral  by  the  continuous  addition  of  lime,  the  glucose  ratio 
is  often  increased  tends  to  show  that  sucrose  in  presence  of  the  lime 
salts,  reducing  sugars,  nitrogenous  bodies  and  ferments  in  the  juice 
may  be  slightly  inverted  during  diffusion.  In  the  Attica  experiments 
it  appears  that  the  invertive  effect  occurs  most  actively  with  unripe 
canes,  as  is  shown  by  the  data  from  the  September  run.  The  inversion 
which  occurred  during  the  other  two  periods  of  work  was  of  little  im- 
portance from  a  commercial  point  of  view.  With  the  use  of  a  finer  chip 
and  a  more  rapid  operation  of  the  battery  it  would  V  possible  to  reduce 
this  inversion  to  a  minimum.  The  mean  temperature  of  the  inner  cells 
of  the  battery  at  Attica  was  about  G50.  (J  and  the  mean  lime  each  charge 
was  under  pressure  in  regular  work  about  two  hours.  The  numerous 
delays,  due  to  imperfect  machinery  and  insufficient  evaporating  surface, 
unavoidably  prolonged  the  time  Of  pressure,  but  in  such  an  irregular  way 

a- to  prevent  any  accurate  study  of  the  effects  produced.    The  purity 

of  the  diffusion  juice  is  somewhat  higher  than  that  of  the  chip  juices, 
showing  that,  notwithstanding  the  increased  glucose  ratio,  a  more  than 
compensating  quality  of  other  substances    was    left    in   the  exhausted 

chip.  This  was  probably  due  to  the  low  temperature  in  the  battery. 
This  purity,  Increased  by  the  percentage  necessary  to  correct  for  the 
actual  solids  present  in  solution,  is  a  very  encouraging  number.    The 

fact  that  with  such  a  purity  and  with  good  tilt  rat  ion  so  poor  a  yield  of 
BUgar  per  ton  was  secured  lends  additional  emphasis  to  the  statements 
of  the  great  l088e8  Suffered  during  the  COUrse  of  manufacture.  The 
careful  manner  in  which  Mr.  Carr  has  located  these  losses  is  worthy  of 


29 

especial  commendation,  and  shows  in  a  most  striking  manner  the  value 
of  chemical  control.  In  the  statement  of  cost  of  manufacture  the  fixed 
charges  for  taxes,  insurance,  interest  on  investment,  and  wear  and  tear 
of  factory  are  omitted,  as  was  also  the  case  with  the  statement  for  Con- 
way Springs. 

When  these  charges  are  taken  into  consideration  the  apparent  profit 
in  the  one  case  vanishes,  and  the  cost  of  the  sugar  per  pound  in  the 
other  is  materially  increased. 

CULTURE  EXPERIMENT  AT  ATTICA. 

About  10  acres  of  land  were  set  apart  for  special  culture  experiments 
and  attention  to  these  plots  was  assured  by  employing  special  labor  to 
take  charge  of  it.  In  this  way  careful  culture  of  the  plots  was  secured. 
The  seed  derived  from  the  Sterling  station,  as  in  the  other  cases,  was 
found  to  be  somewhat  mixed. 

In  the  general  work  some  additional  data  of  great  value  from  an  ag- 
ricultural point  of  view  were  obtained.  The  composition  of  the  juice 
from  the  samples  of  different  chips  for  September  showed  9.75  per  cent. 
sucrose,  2.20  per  cent,  reducing  sugars,  and  15. 9G  per  cent  total  solid 
matter  in  solution.  TJiis  matter,  as  is  also  the  case  in  all  the  tables, 
was  determined  by  the  Brix  spindle  and  is  about  10  per  cent,  too  high. 
Although  Mr.  Carr  states  that  much  of  the  cane  worked  during  the 
period  was  immature,  yet  the  mean  results  of  the  analyses  show  by  no 
means  a  poor  character  of  cane.  With  careful  manufacture  from  70  to 
90  pounds  first  and  second  sugars  should  have  been  obtained.  The 
difference  between  the  data  collected  at  the  beginning  and  end  of  the 
period  do  not  show  any  notable  increase  in  value  of  juice  by  reason  of 
the  greater  maturity  of  the  cane.  The  percentage  of  fiber  in  the  cane 
is  quite  constant.  The  second  period  shows  the  cane  at  its  maximum 
content  of  sugar  and  establishes  the  fact,  important  alike  from  a  culture 
and  manufacturing  aspect,  that  October  is  the  month  during  which  the 
factory  should  work  up  to  its  maximum  capacity  in  that  locality.  These 
data,  taken  in  connection  with  previous  experience  in  Kansas,  indicate 
thai  the  best  season  tor  manufacture  is  from  September  15  to  Novem- 
ber 15.  With  n  factory  fully  equipped  this  would  give  about  fifty  days 
of  work,  and  at  250  tons  of  field  cane  per  day  provide  for  a  crop  of 
12,500  tons  of  cane,  which  ought  to  be  raised  on  1 .001)  acres.      The  folly 

of  planting  2,000  acres  for  a  factory  of  less  than  half  the  capacity  men- 
tioned is  at  once  apparent  It  is  far  better  tor  the  fanner  to  plant  less 
breadth  and  secure  a  better  crop,  than  to  plant  a  greater  breadth  and 
Sacrifice  the  quality  ami  quantity  of  cane  per  acre.  Sorghum  cane  for 
sugar  making  can  not  be  successfully  grown  in  the  hap- hazard  manner 
which  has  BO  Ion-  been  in  VOgU6  in  the  maize  fields  of  the  countn  .      For 

a  time,  at  least,  on  the  fertile  farms  of  Kansas  careful  preparation  of 
the  soil,  timely  planting,  and  thorough  cultivation  by  plow  and  hoe 

will  BUffice,      lint    the  time  will  soon  come  with  sor-hum  when,  as  with 


30 

other  sugar  plants,  the  problem  of  fertilization  must  be  studied  both 
in  the  field  and  in  the  experimental  plot.  Farmers  should  not,  therefore, 
expect  good  returns  without  careful  study  of  the  agricultural  problems 
which  the  proper  growing  of  sorghum  presents. 

MANUFACTURING  OPERATIONS  AT  MEDICINE   LODGE. 

The  general  character  of  the  factory  lit  Medicine  Lodge,  as  in  the 
other  cases,  will  be  found  in  the  reports  of  Messrs.  Cook  and  Spencer. 

In  the  case  of  this  factory  it  is  a  matter  of  congratulation  to  be  able 
to  say  that  it  was  located  with  due  regard  to  the  supply  of  water  and 
that  this  water  was  of  good  quality.  Not  only  was  there  an  abundance 
of  water  for  all  manufacturing  purposes,  but  on  account  of  the  failure 
of  the  apparatus  to  remove  the  exhausted  chips  successfully  aud  econom- 
ically a  stream  of  water  was  used  under  the  battery  to  carry  off  the 
chips  as  they  were  dropped  from  the  cells. 

The  delays  incident  to  the  operating  of  new  machinery  were  not 
escaped  by  the  Medicine  Lodge  Company,  and  the  factory,  as  in  the 
other  cases,  fell  far  short  of  its  estimated  capacity.  One  of  the  chief 
delays  was  caused  by  the  failure  of  the  Yaryan  multiple  effect  pan  to 
evaporate  the  diffusion  juices  with  sufficient  rapidity.  This  failure  was 
due  to  the  coating  of  the  tubes  which  necessitated  frequent  cleaning, 
the  whole  factory  having  to  be  stopped  for  this  purpose.  The  experi- 
ence at  Medicine  Lodge  was  that  of  other  places  in  respect  of  this  point 
and  shows  beyond  doubt  the  necessity  of  providing  a  larger  evaporating 
surface  for  sorghum  juices  in  proportion  to  the  amount  thereof  than  for 
either  sugar-cane  or  beets.  In  fact,  the  difficulty  of  keeping  the  mul- 
tiple effect  pans  clean  has  been  so  pronounced  that  it  seems  a  wise 
thing  to  advise  the  erection  of  this  part  of  the  apparatus  in  duplicate, 
so  that  one  set  of  evaporating  apparatus  can  be  in  use  while  the  other 
is  cleaning.  It  might  be  possible  to  arrange  the  pumps  of  the  appa- 
ratus in  such  a  way  that  one  system  of  pumping  would  be  sufficient 
for  the  duplicate  apparatus,  and  thus  the  expense  of  the  additional  plant 
would  be  confined  to  the  directcostof  the  evaporating  apparatus  itself. 

The  results  of  the  season's  work  come  more  nearly  showing  a  profit 
on  manufacture  when  all  legitimate  charges  are  allowed  for  than  In  any 
other  factory  where  the  details  of  manufacture  have  beep  reported  to 

this  Department  ;  nevertheless  when  proper  allowance  is  made  for  in- 
terest on  investment,  wear  and  tear,  taxes  and  insurance,  it  is  seen 
that  the  factory  was  operated  at  a  loss. 

AS  a  result  of  the  delays  noted  above  and  of  the  late  date  at  which 
the  operations  were  Commenced,  it  was  found  impossible  to  work  the 
whole  of  the  crop,  only  about  1,000  acres  of  cane  having  been  delivered 
when  the  factory  was  closed.  It  is  but  fair  to  sa\  that  if  the  amount  of 
Second  SUgar  Obtained  should  be  equal  to  that  claimed  in  the  report 
just  quoted  it  will  show  probably  a  direct  profit  of  a  small  amount  to 
the  factors   for  the  BeaSOn'S  w  oik.  excluding   the  charges  above   noted. 


31 

If,  however,  the  whole  of  the  crop  could  have  been  worked  promptly,  it 
is  evident  that  a  very  handsome  profit  would  have  been  realized.  This 
is  encouraging  to  the  sorghum-sugar  industry  and  is  the  most  positive 
evidence  of  economical  success  that  has  yet  been  obtained. 

The  mean  composition  of  the  canes  entering  the  battery,  as  obtained 
from  a  table  of  analyses  prepared  by  Mr.  Sanborn  from  the  work  of 
himself  and  Mr.  Edson,  is  as  follows: 

Per  cent. 

Sucrose 10.  44 

Glucose 2.  24 

Purity ,   63.66 

With  good  manufacturing  work  under  favorable  conditions,  the  canes 
of  the  above  composition  should  have  yielded  100  pounds  of  first  and 
second  sugars  per  ton.  The  amount  of  the  first  sugar  made,  according 
to  the  report  of  the  1st  of  January,  per  ton  of  field  cane  was  54 
pounds.  On  the  estimated  yield  of  second  sugars  the  total  yield  of 
sugar  per  ton  of  field  cane  was  nearly  75  pounds.  Allowing  for  the 
usual  percentage  of  waste  in  cleaning  the  cane,  it  is  seen  that  the 
actual  yield  per  ton  of  clean  cane  agrees  fairly  well  with  the  theoret- 
ical yield  which  should  be  obtained. 

It  is  also  encouraging  to  note  that  this  fair  financial  success  was  ob- 
tained with  cane  which  was  considerably  inferior  to  that  employed  for 
manufacture  both  at  Conway  Springs  and  Attica.  With  more  careful 
culture  developing  a  higher  grade  of  cane  it  is  reasonable  to  expect 
hereafter  a  fair  economical  success  of  the  work  at  Medicine  Lodge. 

CULTURE   EXPERIMENTS   AT   MEDICINE    LODGE. 

The  miscellaneous  analyses  of  small  samples  of  cane  and  single  canes 
received  at  the  factory  at  Medicine  Lodge  show  the  same  wide  variation 
in  the  percentage  of  sucrose  that  has  always  been  observed  in  similar 
experiments  elsewhere.  These  miscellaneous  analyses  have  been  col- 
lected by  Mr.  Sanborn  into  one  large  table  beginning  with  analyses  on 
the  21st  of  August.  Even  at  this  early  date  the  Early  Amber  cane 
at  Medicine  Lodge  showed  a  high  percentage  of  sucrose  ami  a  high 
purity.  This  high  percentage  of  sucrose  was  increased,  however,  to- 
ward the  latter  part  of  this  month,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  numbers  in- 
dicating the  composition  of  the  single  canes  or  small  samples  ofoane 
during  the  whole  month.  This  gratifying  .showing  from  the  Amber 
cane  is  particularly  aoticed,  because  in  some  other  localities,  as  indi- 
cated in  other  parts  of  this  report,  the  Amber  cane  has  been  discred- 
ited as  a  Bugar-producing  plant.  It  is  easy  to  see  from  the  analyses 
that  had  the  factory  been  ready  for  work  at  the  time  mentioned  large 
quantities  Of  sugar  COUld  have  been  made.  At  the  commencement  of 
the  analyses  of  other  varieties  on  the  Lsl  of  September,  it  is  -ecu 
that  the  content  of  sugar  was  very  much  lower,  the  Early  Amber 
Variety  being  uniformly  better  than  the  other  varieties  ;it    that    sens.ni. 

Among  other  varieties  tested  were  those  grown  from  seeds  sent  by  the 


32 

Department  from  the  experiment  station  at  Sterling,  and  which  were 
planted  upon  sod  and  without  the  proper  conditions  for  successful  ex- 
perimental culture.  During  September,  also,  the  Early  Amber  varieties 
continued  to  show,  in  general,  the  highest  percentage  of  available  sugar, 
although  during  the  latter  part  of  the  mouth  there  was  marked  im- 
provement in  other  varieties  in  their  sugar  content.  Especially  was 
this  true  of  some  of  the  analyses  of  Early  Orange,  which  began  to  show 
up  well  after  the  middle  of  September.  During  the  latter  part  of 
September  and  in  October  many  samples  of  Early  Orange  showed  good 
results,  but  mixed  in  with  these  are  many  others  of  Orange  and  other 
varieties  showing  a  very  poor  content  of  sucrose.  The  percentage  of 
sugar,  however,  in  the  Early  Orange  and  some  other  varieties  kept  up 
well  even  to  the  end  of  the  season,  analyses  as  late  as  the  14th  of  No- 
vember showing  a  content  of  12.10  per  cent,  of  sucrose,  and  a  purity  of 
7G.13  in  samples  of  Early  Orange  cane.  In  this  same  table,  also,  Mr. 
Sanborn  has  collected  analyses  of  samples  of  beets  grown  at  Medicine 
Lodge  which  will  be  of  interest  by  way  of  comparison  with  analyses  of 
the  sorghum  juices. 

In  order  to  secure  the  latest  information  from  the  factories  in  Kansas, 
the  Secretary  authorized  Mr.  W.  W.  Cook  to  make  a  final  tour  of  inspec- 
tion in  accordauce  with  the  following  instructions : 

Deckmp.kr  16,  1889. 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  Lad  the  Secretary  commission  you  to  serve  for  one  additional 
month  lor  the  purpose  of  securing  some  further  information  for  our  report,  and  which 
yon  will  proceed  to  obtain  in  accordance  with  the  following  instructions: 

"Yon  will  visit  each  of  the  factories  having  received  Government  aid  during  the 
past  year  and  obtain  from  the  proper  authorities  the  following  Information  : 

(1)  The  number  of  tons  of  cane  purchased  and  whether  this  oane  was  bopped  be- 
fore or  after  purchase. 

("2)  The  total  number  of  tons  of  cleaned  cam1  chips  used  in  manufacture.  If  it  be 
claimed   in  connection  with  these   two  items   that  a  part  of  the  cane  was  worked    for 

molasses  only,  you  will  obtain  the  total  Dumber  of  ions  and  the  respective  amounts 
claimed  to  have  been  worked  for  molasses  and  sugar. 

(:{)  The  number  of  pounds  of  first  sugar  made  and  the  number  of  pounds  of  second 
sugar  made  and  the  number  of  gallons  of  molasses  obtained. 

(4)  The  quantity  of  sugar  sold  and  the  price  obtained  therelbr,  the  quantity  of 

molasses  made;  and  the  price  obtained  therefor. 

(5)  The  amount  of  seed  produced  and  the  price  obtained  for  any  that  may  have 
been  sold. 

In  addition  to  this  you  are  directed  to  obtain  from  the  stockholders  of  the  various 

factories,  in  so  far  as  they  can  be  reached,  their  si  at  emeu  i  of  the  profitableness  or  un- 
profitableness of  the  sorghum  sugar  industry.  Von  will  also  see  prominent  farmers 
who  have  raised  oane  for  factories  and  obtain  from  them  like  information.  You  will 
put  this  information  into  writing  and  read  it  over  t<»  each  of  the  parties  interested 

before  Sending    it  as  authoritative. 

You  are  especially  also  directed  to  visit   the  factory  at  Minneola.  where  the  roasting 

process  was  practiced,  ami,  in  addition  to  the  information  above  required,  to  investi- 
gate a  rumor  which  has  come  to  us  in  the  newspapers  thai   fraud  was  practiced  by 

this  company,  and  if  so,  the  extent  and  character  of  this  fraud.  The  factories  w  Inch 
you  will  visit   under  the  above  inst  rue!  ions  are  ;,^  follows  : 

Medicine  Lodge,  Attica,  Conwaj  Springs,  Minneola, Meade,  Arkalon,  Liberal,  and 


33 

Ness  City.  You  are  also  authorized  to  visit  the  factory  at  Fort  Scott,  and,  so  far  as 
possible,  secure  the  information  noted  for  the  above  factories. 

It  is  especially  desirable  that  this  work  be  completed  and  forwarded  to  me  by  the 
middle  of  January,  the  time  at  which  your  present  commission  will  expire. 

I  received  this  morning  your  report  on  the  beet-sugar  experiment  at  Medicine 
Lodge,  and  I  am  greatly  gratified  at  its  favorable  termination  and  desire  to  thank 
you  for  the  information  sent. 

I  inclose  for  your  use  half  a  dozen  traveling  orders,  and  you  will  please  return  those 
not  required. 

Respectfully, 

H.  W.  Wiley, 

W.  W.  Cook,  Chemist. 

Medicine  Lodge,  Eans. 

In  compliance  with  the  above  instructions  the  following  reports  have 
been  received,  comprising  the  latest  information  which  can  be  obtained 
for  this  bulletin : 

Ness  City,  Kans.,  January  2,  1890. 
Dear  Sir:  In  my  investigation  of  the  sugar  works  at  this  place  I  find  as  follows: 

Cost  of  buildings $1 1 ,  716. 89 

Cost  of  machinery,  including  the  skilled  labor  in  erecting 98, 500.  00 

Cost  of  common  labor  in  erecting  machinery 1,453.  30 

Quantity  cane  bought tons..  74'J 

Total  amount  paid  for  cane $1,498.  00 

Amount  paid  for  labor  while  runniug $992.  00 

Total  cash  paid  for  fuel  during  season $836.  00 

Quantity  without  tops  worked tous..  716 

Quantity  seeds  and  tops do.. .  33 

Amount  received  for  seeds  and  tops,  at  $2  per  ton $66.  00 

Total  amount  molasses  made  (about) gals...       7,  000 

Total  amount  molasses  sold  (about  300  gallons) 063.17 

Estimated  value  molasses  on  hand  (6,700  gallons) 1,  005.  00 

A  part  of  the  cane  was  topped  by  farmers  before  hauling  in  and  the  tops  not  de- 
livered, and  a  part  was  topped  while  on  the  wagons  (by  the  use  of  bay -knives)  after 
ir  was  hauled  to  factory,  and  these  tops  were  sold  without  thrashing  at  $2  per  ton  as 
given  above. 

Owing  to  the  excessive  dry  weather,  and  cane  not  maturing,  they  failed  to  make 
any  sugar.  They  only  ran  about  ninedays.  Their  contract  with  the  Kilby  Manufact- 
uring Company,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  was  to  have  the  factory  ready  to  run  by  Sep- 
tember 1,  hut  it  was  not  finished  until  October  1,  and  owing  to  this  failure  on  the 
part  of  the  Kilby  Manufacturing  Company  there  is  some  trouble  in  making  final  set- 
tlement. According  to  contract  price  there  iH  still  due  the  Kilby  Manufacturing 
Company  ^38,000.  They  are  now  negotiating  propositions  for  a  compromise,  and 
they  think  the  prospects  good  that  it  will  be  effected.  In  addition  to  the  abOTS  the 
sugar  company  is  owing  about  $4,000,  a  part  of  it  for  cane  and  labor.  lint  they  claim 
they  are  holding  this  back  in  order  to  help  in  getting  |15,000  in  bonds  from  one 
township  which  voted  the  bonds,  but  the  township  officers  are  refusing  to  sign  t lit* 
bonds. 

There  is  an  unsettled  feeling  among  the  farmers  regarding  raising  cane  next  sea- 
son; some  have  plowed  In  preparation  for  raising  cane,  and  others  are  holding  off. 

Hut  if  the  sugar  company  pay  the  bills  now  due  for  cane   and  labor  I  think  the  farm- 

ers  will  be  satisfied  and  be  ready  to  try  raising  another  crop.  It  is  the  opinion  generally 
that  the  raising  of  cane  here  Is  a  comparatively  oertaio  orop.  I  had  a  talk  with  Mr. 
Calhoun,  who  has  no  financial  Interest  in  the   sugar  business,  hut  is  president  oi'  the 

17597— Bull.  26 3 


34 

State  bank  of  Ness  City.  He  has  been  in  this  country  for  eleven  years,  and  he  says 
this  year  is  the  only  failure  in  the  crop  of  sorghum-cane  he  has  seen  since  he  has  been 
here. 

The  proprietors  of  the  works  here  that  I  have  talked  with  seem  quite  confident  of 
the  financial  success  of  the  sorghum-sugar  industry,  but  say  it  may  not  sound  very 
well,  considering  the  failure  they  have  made ;  but  that  is  their  conviction.  They 
claim  they  were  well  aware  they  would  lose  money  every  day  they  ran,  but  they 
wanted  to  test  the  machinery,  satisfy  the  farmers,  and  try  and  get  the  $15,000  town- 
ship bonds  that  were  being  held  back. 
Yours  very  truly, 

W.  W.  Cook. 
Prof.  H.  W.  Wiley,  Chemist,  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Washington, D.  C. 


Mead,  Kans.,  January  6,  1890. 
Dear  Sir:  The  headquarters  of  the  Southwestern  Sugar  Company,  owning  the 
works  at  Liberal,  Arkalon,  and  this  place,  is  located  at  this  place,  and  I  have 
visited  the  works  at  the  other  places  and  seen  some  of  the  farmers  and  secured  as 
much  information  as  I  could,  and  figures  from  the  book-keeper  and  president  here, 
giving  the  figures  of  the  three  factories  in   this  report,  are  as  follows: 


Quantity  of  oane  worked tons. 

Quantity  of  BOfSM  made  (estimated) pounds. 

Quantify  of  molasses  made  (estimated) .gallons. 

Quant  it  \  of  seed  (>  stimated)  bushels. 

Quantity  of  clean  chips  worked  (estimated) tons. 


Cost  of  machinery  and  erection 

Coal  of  buildings  and  erection 

Cn>i  of  buildings 

Cash  paid  for  cane  

Cost  of  fuel  for  season  (estimated) 

Cost  ot  labor  while  i  unning  

Amount  of  sugar  sold  (received) 

Valne  of  sugar  on  hand  (estimated) 

Value  of  molaSSefl  on  hand  (estimated) 


Mead. 


384 

6,000 

3,  750 

600 

2158 


$50,524  ic 
13,252,71 


576. 79 
400. 00 
435.00 

"75.  00 
210.00 
700.  00 


Arkalon. 


202 

4,000 

3,750 

400 

126 


$-19,  466.  75 
10,  949.  49 


303.  58 
300.  00 
261.  00 
*75.00 
140.  00 
700. 00 


Liberal. 


601 

10,000 

7,500 

701 

425 


$50,  093.  04 


12,916,50 
902.  ."6 
600.  00 
609.  00 
♦  210.00 
315.00 
1,500.00 


*  1,  000  pounds. 
Estimated  value  of  seed,  15  cents  per  bushel. 


t  3,000  pounds. 


The  tops  were  cut  off  at  cutter  of  mills.  The  proprietors  of  these  factories  were 
well  aware  that  they  would  ran  at  a  heavy  Loss,  bnl  run  in  order  to  teal  and  adjust 
machinery  and  t<»  satisfy  the  fat nicrs  to  some  extent .  There  is  some  dissatisfaction 
with  the  farmers,  they  claiming  there  would  have  been  more  merchantable  cane 
if  they  had  beeo  ready  to  commence  work  sooner.  The  mills  did  not  commence 
work   until   about    the   1st   of   October,    and    ran    about    two    weeks    at    Mead    and 

Liberal  and  about  one  week  at  Arkalon.  At  Liberal  and  Arkalon  they  are  offer- 
ing the  farmers  in  payment  for  the  cane  not  worked  one  ton  of  coal  and  one  bar- 
rel of  molasses  for  every  i">  acres  of  cam-.  Most  of  the  farmers  are  accepting 
this,  but  a  few  are  holding  off.  The  company  hare  paid  for  all  labor  and  cane 
»rorked  at  all  these  factories,  but  are  still  owing  on  machinery  about  129,000 and 

Other  bills  about  |3,000.  The  farmers  are  satisfied  to  go  ahead  and  raise  cane 
another  year  if    they   can     have    some    assurance    that     the    factories    will     be    run. 

The  company  here  ii  in  a  rather  demoralised  condition,  but  Mr.  Heber,  who  la  presi- 
dent of  lb,-  sugar  company  and  also  president  Of  the  Mead  County  Hank,  thinks 
he    will    .succeed    in    getting   it   on    its    feet    soon. 

Kvery  one  in  the  county  connected  with  the  company  and  outside  of  it  seem 
to  think  the  sorghum  industry  is  going  <<>  be  a  great  success.  There  was  no  sec- 
olid  su-rar  made  at  any  of  these  factories, 


35 

You  will  notice  that  the  sugar  sold  and  estimated  value  of  sugar  on  hand  does 
not  amount  to  the  total  made.  It  is  claimed  a  large  amount  was  carried  off  in 
samples. 

Yours  very  truly, 

W.  W.  Cook. 
Prof.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist,    Washington,  D.   C. 


Mead,  Kans.,  January  7,  1890. 
Dear  Sir:  I  have  made  as  thorough  an  investigation  of  the  purported  fraud  prac- 
ticed by  the  American  Sugar  Company,  at  their  works  at  Minneola,  as  possible. 
This  company  is  operating  with  the  Adamson  roasting  process,  and  as  their  head- 
quarters are  at  this  place  and  the  officers  and  parties  that  were  engaged  in  working 
up  the  bonds  are  most  of  them  living  here,  I  have  done  most  of  my  work  and  inves- 
tigations at  this  place.  The  officers  of  the  American  Sugar  Company  sent  to  Dodge 
City  and  bought  two  barrels  of  sugar  and  mixed  into  their  sirup  (by  advice,  as  they 
claimed,  of  their  sugar-boiler)  in  order  to  start  it  to  graining,  and  it  was  brought  in 
and  mixed  duriug  the  night-time,  for  the  reason  (as  they  claimed)  that  they  had 
enemies  to  their  process  who  would  use  it  agaiust  them  if  it  was  doue  publicly  and 
by  daylight,  and  about  October  2G,  in  the  presence  of  quite  a  number  who  had  been 
invited  to  be  present,  this  sugar  was  thrown  out,  claiming  to  have  been  made  by 
their  process  and  from  cane  grown  in  that  section.  A  short  time  previous  to  the 
time  this  sugar  was  thrown  out  one  Willis  G.  Emerson,  residing  at  this  place,  made 
a  contract  with  the  American  Sugar  Company  for  certain  territory  to  work,  and  se- 
cure bonds  to  the  amount  of  $15,000  on  each  township,  in  consideration  of  which 
the  American  Sugar  Company  were  to  erect  a  sugar  factory  of  the  Adamson  roasting 
process.  The  contract  made  with  Mr.  Emerson  was  that  he  should  furnish  his  own 
assistance  and  pay  all  expenses  incurred  in  the  work  and  receive  as  his  compensation  a 
certain  per  cent,  on  all  bonds  he  secured.  Before  entering  upon  his  work,  and  before 
the  day  the  sugar  was  made  at  Minneola,  I  am  told  by  good  authority  (and  may  have 
an  affidavit  to  inclose  in  this  to  that  effect)  that  Mr.  Emerson  had  said  he  wanted 
sugar  if  they  had  to  haul  it  to  factory.  Mr.  Emerson  employed  some  six  or  eight  per- 
sons to  assist  him,  and  armed  with  this  sugar  (made  at  Minneola  by  the  Adamson 
roasting  process),  as  samples  showing  what  the  process  would  do,  started  out  to  work- 
tilling  township  scrip  for  some  imaginary  debt  and  calliug  elections  to  take  up  the 
scrip  by  issuing  refunding  bonds.  Everything  seemed  to  bo  getting  along  finely.  The 
people  oat  here,  where  they  had  failure  of  crops  and  times  were  hard,  seemed  will- 
ing and  eager  to  accept  anything  that  would  seem  to  oiler  relief.  They  had  succeeded 
in  securing  the  bonds  from  four  townships  in  this  (Mead)  county,  and  two  townships 
in  Ford  County,  and  were  calling  elections  in  large  numbers  of  other  townships 
when  the  Illegal  manner  in  which  they  were  obtaining  the  bonds  was  beginning  to 
be  agitated  by  some,  and  some  newspaper  comments  had  been  made  upon  it,  and  in 
one  township  the  party  holding  tin;  scrip  had  been  compelled  by  drawn  ore-arms  t«> 
surrender  the  scrip,  and  there  being  some  little  quiet  talk  about  the  manner  in  which 
sugar  had  been  obtained,  Mr.  Emerson  came  in  and  demanded  <>f  the  officers  of  the 

American  Sugar  Company  that  they  pay  to  him  the  amount  of  money  he  had  ex- 
pended, claiming  it  to  bo$4,'J00.  This  they  refused  to  do,  and  he  (Emerson)  rushed 
into  print,  exposing  the  manner  the  BUgai  was  made,  claiming  he  had  just  found  it 
out  and  wished  to  protect  the  people.  It  seems  to  my  mind  the  fact  of  their  in- 
tending to  vote  bonds  upon  about  one  hundred  different  townships,  and  agreeing 
to  build   as   many  sugar  factories  is   as  ninth   evidence   of  fraud   as   anything    that. 

has  been  done.  I  have  seemed  what  affidavits  and  evidence  l  oould  ami  inolose 
them  in  this.  1  do  not  think  there  Is  any  question  but  the  American  Sugar  Com- 
pany and  thoso  working  for  them  have  practiced  a  deception  upon  the  people  and 


36 

it  is  a  great  injury  to  the  sugar  industry  at  large.  And  it  would  seem  too  bad  that 
those  trying  in  good  faith  to  build  up  the  industry  should  suffer  thereby.  The  bonds 
issued  and  delivered  as  mentioned  before,  viz,  the  bonds  from  four  townships,  are  held 
by  the  bank  here,  and  those  from  two  townships  are  back  east.  The  townships 
so  far  have  been  unable  to  get  them  back.  Can  not  say  what  will  be  done  with  them. 
All  further  operations  were  promptly  suspended  when  the  matter  became  known  to 
the  public. 

Yours  very  truly, 

W.  W.  Cook. 
Prof.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist  Department  of  Agriculture,    Washington,  D.  C. 


Hutchinson,  Kans.,  January  8,  1890. 

Dear  Sir:  The  president  and  book-keeper  of  the  American  Sugar  Company  have 
furnished  the  following  figures  regarding  their  factory  at  Minneola,  Kans.,  to  wit : 

Cost  of  machinery $18,658.00 

Cost  of  buildings #12,000.00 

Cost  of  erecting  machinery  and  bu  ildiugs $4, 136. 19 

Quantity  of  cane  worked tous..  469 

Cash  paid  for  cane $727.99 

Cost  of  fuel  for  season $233. 16 

Cost  of  labor  while  running $1,353.  20 

Quantity  of  sugar  made  (about) pounds..  2,000 

Quantity  of  molasses  made  (about) gallons..  4,664 

Quantity  of  seed  (about) tons..  87 

Value  inolasses  on  hand  (estimated) $900.  00 

Value  seed  (estimated) |250.  00 

Avery  small  amount  of  sugar  is  on  hand;  it  is  claimed  it  has  been  carried  off  in 
samples. 

I  go  from  here  to  Fort  Scott. 
Yours  very  truly, 

W.  W.  Cook. 

Prof.  II .  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C. 


Four  Scott,  Saks.,  January  10,  1890. 

Dear  Sir:  [n  regard  to  the  engar  factory  at  this  place  I  And  as  follows  for  the  Bea- 
ton of  1889: 

Quantity  of  cane  worked tons..  7, 113 

Amount  paid  for  oane $14,226.  00 

Cost  of  fuel  for  season $1,4?:?.  83 

c,.-i  of  labor  for  season $7,834.68 

Quantity  of  sugar  made pounds..  368,840 

Quantity  of  molasses  made  (estimated  ) gallons..  100,000 

Quantity  of  seeds  in  tops tons..  075 

Estimated  Value  sugar  product  at  54  cents $19,  7:?o.  '20 

Estimated  value  molasses  product $10,  000.  00 

Estimated  value  seed  product $1,350,00 


37 

They  have  about  800  barrels  of  sugar  on  hand,  not  sold,  and  they  estimate  their 
entire  product  at  5|  cents  per  pound,  and  the  molasses  at  10  cents  per  gallon. 

They  have  sold  some  of  the  molasses,  and  it  has  netted  them  that  amount.  They 
have  the  seed  on  hand  in  the  tops,  and  they  estimate  it  at  $2  per  ton.  The  tops  were 
cut  off  by  farmers  and  brought  to  factory  separate,  and  after  cane  was  delivered. 
The  factory  here  commenced  work  August  28  and  made  one  day's  run  entirely  into 
sirup,  and  they  ran  about  sixty  days  and  worked  up  all  the  good  cane  they  had.  A 
part  of  the  cane  was  planted  upon  the  creek  bottom,  and  overflowed  two  or  three 
times  during  the  summer  aud  cut  their  crop  short.  It  was  a  wet,  cold,  and  backward 
spring,  and  the  caue  nearly  a  month  later  than  usual  in  maturing. 

Mr.  J.  C.  Hart,  the  chemist  and  superintendent,  is  confined  to  his  room  with  in- 
fluenza, and  I  could  not  see  him.  Mr.  Eli  Kearns,  the  treasurer  of  the  company,  who 
has  given  his  time  in  active  work  in  the  business  during  the  past  season,  says  here- 
tofore he  has  been  somewhat  undecided  as  to  the  ultimate  financial  success  of  the  in- 
dustry, but  says  now  he  believes  it  will  get  on  to  its  feet  and  be  one  of  the  greatest 
industries  of  Kansas,  especially  if  the  growiug  and  manufacture  of  beets  can  be  com- 
bined with  cane.  Mr.  C.  F.  Drake,  the  president  of  the  company,  says  he  has  had 
confidence  in  the  final  success  of  the  business  and  has  still  more  confidence  after  the 
past  season's  work  and  experience,  but  thinks  there  will  be  many  improvements  made 
in  the  business. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  see  any  farmers  at  this  place,  but  it  is  claimed  there  is  no 
question  about  it  paying  the  farmers  to  raise  the  cane  better  than  any  other  crop 
they  can  raise. 

I  find  the  experiment  at  Medicine  Lodge  in  beets  has  caused  a  great  interest  over 
the  country.  At  this  place  they  are  thinking  of  raising  beets  the  coming  season. 
They  were  asking  me  about  it,  and  I  told  them  there  would  be  an  official  report  on  it 
from  the  Department  of  Agriculture  soon. 

I  go  from  hero  to  Conway  Springs. 
Yours  very  truly, 

VY.  W.  Cook. 

Prof.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C. 


Conway  Springs,  Kans.,  January  11,  1890. 
Dear  Sir:  In  making  up  a  summary  report  of  the  sugar  works  at  this  place,  lor  the 
year  1889,  I  find  as  follows  : 

Value  of  real  estate  (estimated) $10,000.00 

Value  of  sugar  works  (estimated) $82,  500.  00 

Quantity  of  cane  worked tons..  1,596 

Amount  cane  cost $0,694.00 

Cost  of  labor  for  season  in  working $12  359.  00 

Cost  of  fuel  for  season $3  •_>;,.»_  mi 

Cost  of  cooperage  (about) >-;»o.  mi 

Number  of  men  employed  night   and  day 90 to  '.Hi 

Quantity  of  first  sugar  made pounds..  809,  ."-'.'l 

Quantity  of  second  sugar  made do .".7.  l-.~. 

Total  quantity  Bngar  made do 967,076 

Total  quantity  molasses  made gallons.. 

Cane  planted  (estimated) acr  -on 

Value  sagar  product  (estimated) $1 1,689.  16 

Value  molasses  (estimated) $g 

At  this  place  the  farmers  topped  the  oane  and  kept   the  tops,  and  the  sugar  com- 
pany paid  $1.60  per  ton  tor  the  cane  without  tops.     The  Bugai  company  are  in  a 


38 

demoralized  state.  They  stopped  working  sirups  into  second  sugars  the  first  of  the 
year,  after  working  about  25,000  gallons  and  having  about  35,000  gallons  not  worked. 
Thereis  due  farmers  for  cane  about  $7, 000.  and  for  labor  about  8-M00.  The  latteris 
secured  by  indorsing  to  a  trustee  the  2  cents  per  pound  as  a  bounty  due  from  the 
State. 

The  Ivilby  Manufacturing  Company, of  Cleveland, Ohio, holds  the  first  lien  on  the  sugar 
factory  to  the  amount  of  8*25,000,  and  it  seems  to  be  the  impression  that  this  company 
will  eventually  own  the  works,  and  are  already  making  some  proposals  to  the  farmers 
to  form  a  stock  company  and  buy  the  works,  offering  to  give  them  liberal  time  in 
making  payments,  and  it  is  not  altogether  improbable  that  some  such  arrangements 
may  be  consummated.  The  farmers  are  willing  to  raisecane  at $1.50 per  ton,  but  must 
have  pretty  good  guaranty  in  future  that  they  will  get  paid  for  it.  I  had  a  talk  with 
11.  II.  Richards,  the  president  of  the  sugar  company,  and  have  seen  no  one  who  seems 
to  be  as  enthusiastic  as  he  as  to  the  future  financial  success  of  the  industry.  Mr. 
Osterhouse,  the  book-keeper  and  stockholder,  says,  while  the  sugar  works  here  has 
worsted  all  of  them  that  put  any  money  in  it,  owing  to  the  bank  failing  to  furnish 
the  money  they  had  promised  and  bad  management,  yet,  if  In-  had  sufficient  amount 
of  money,  he  would  engage  and  invest  in  the  sugar  business  in  preference  to  any 
other.  Mr.  Wilson,  who  is  also  connected  with  those  works,  also  expressed  himself 
as  having  confidence  in  the  final  success  of  the  industry,  and  all  I  have  met  seem  to 
think  the  same  way. 

Yours  very  truly, 

W.  W.  Cook. 
Prof.  II.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C. 


Medicine  Lodge,  Kaxs.,  January  14,  1890. 
Dear  Sir:  I  have  just  returned  from  Attica,  and  have  to  report  upon  them  the 
sugar  factory  at  Attica  for  the  season's  work  of  1889  as  follows: 

Cost  of  machinery '..'. $52,  7  17.  21 

Cost  of  buildings  and  erecting  machinery §33,775.74 

Quantity  of  field  sane  worked tons..  7,088 

Amount  paid  and  due  for  cane $10,566.76 

A  muii  ut  of  cane  furnished  on  stork $3,597.35 

Cost  of  fuel  for  season $3,387.02 

Cost  of  labor  while  running $10,  555.  1  1 

Cost  of  cooperage $2,044.74 

Cos!  of  incidentals $845.80 

Salaries  paid  while  running $2,406,  17 

Lubricating $370.08 

Quantity  first  sngar  made pounds.  -  256,  181 

Quantity  second  sugar  made do —     41,000 

Total  quantity  sugar  made 297,  181 

Quantity  molasses  made  (estimated) gallons..         60,000 

Sugar  sold.  203,0 amount  received) $11,1 18.56 

Molasses,  sold  4,573  gallons  (amount  received) $362.44 

Value  sugar  «>n  hand,  91,481  pounds,  at  5  cents  per  pound  (est i mated  I ...     vt.  72 1. 05 

Value  molasses  on  hand  (estimated J $5,542.  <" 

Number  oi  men  employed  day  and  night 66  to  116 

Commenced  work  Angnsl  26,  and  stopped  cutting  cane  November  12. 

At  this  factory  the]  bought  «  sane  with  tops  mi  and  paid  $2  per  ton,  and  50  cents 
on  each  ton  was  applied  as  stock.  The  tops  were  out  off  at  cutter  and  used  as  fuel. 
These  u,,i  kg,  as  i  w  rote  you  before,  went  into  the  hands  of  a  receiver,  p  Ith  Liabilities 


39 

of  about  $59,000.  They  estimate  there  will  he  about  80,000  pounds  more  of  second 
sugars  when  they  get  the  molasses  all  worked  over.  They  have  spent  a  considera- 
ble time  in  fixing  their  hot  room,  and  have  not  worked  more  than  a  third  of  their 
sirup  over. 

Mr.  J.  S.  Jobes,  president  of  the  Attica  State  bank,  and  the  receiver  of  the  sugar 
works,  says  he  is  confident  of  the  success  of  the  sugar  industry.  He  says  he  thinks 
these  conditions  will  cover  it,  viz  : 

Experience  in  the  business,  plenty  of  capital,  and  first-class  business  management. 
I  talked  with  several  farmers  ;  they  say  they  are  willing  to  raise  the  cane  at  $1.50 
per  ton  if  they  can  get  pay  for  it,  as  that  will  pay  them  better  than  any  other  crop 
they  can  raise. 

I  should  have  stated  in  the  figures  giving  the  cost  of  buildings  and  machinery  is 
included  the  cost  of  the  city  water-works,  amounting  to  $8,385. 
Yours  very  truly, 

W.  W.  Cook. 

Prof.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C, 


Medicine  Lodge,  Kans.,  January  15,  1890. 
Dear  Sir:     I  herewith  submit  to  you  ray  summary  report  of  the  sugar  factory  at 
this  place  for  the  season  of  1889,  which  is  as  follows: 

Cost  of  buildings §18,983.38 

Cost  of  machinery  and  erection  of  the  same $73,  3*24.  00 

Quantity  of  field  cane  worked tons . .  7,  363 

Cash  paid  for  cane $7, 536.  33 

Amount  donated  in  cane $5,98  I.  28 

Amount  paid  for  fuel $7,539.  41 

Cost  of  labor  while  working $6,594.  46 

Coat  of  salaries  while  working $980.  00 

Entire  cost  of  cooperage $1,370.67 

Incidentals  while  working    $459.  "Jt! 

Lubricating  and  oils $143.00 

Number  of  men  employed,  including  day  and  night 60 

Quantity  of  lir>t  sugar  made pounds..  330,251 

Quantity  of  second  sugar  made  to  date do 111.  987 

Quantity  sugar  to  date  do 1 1_\  238 

Quantity  of  molasses  for  season gallons 79,380 

Quantity  of  hand-picked  selected  seed bushels 1,200 

Quantity  of  second  sugars  yet  to  make  (est  imated) pounds ,;". 

Quantity  of  common  seed  thrashed bushels 8,800 

Amount  of  sugar  sold,  313, 916  pounds  (amount  received) $17,047. 17 

Anion  nt  of  sugar  on  hand,  128,  322  pounds  (estimated)   §7,  067.  71 

Estimated  value  molasses,  -  cents  per  gallon **,;.  350,  40 

Estimated  value  L200  bushels  select  seed |1,500.00 

Estimated  value  B,800  bushels  common  seed,  at  LS  cents $1,3-J<>.  oo 

Messrs.  Bldred  and  Hinman,  the  proprietors  of  the  works  here,  had  the  farmers  top 
the  oane  in  the  fields  and  haul  it  in  afterwards,  bnl  all  of  the  seed  was  never  de- 
livered.     They    have  coal   enOUgfa  On    hand  (thai    Es  included  in  the   ahove  figures     to 

work  over  the  balance  of  the  second  sugars,  and  all  other  Labor  and  expenses  are 
figured  up  to  the  presen!  time  and  the^  figure  the  balance  of   labor  and    expense  in 

working  over  the  ha  la  nee  of  the  molasses  will  be  about  |450;  so  in  summing  up  their 
season's  work,  and  taking  inventor]  of  stool  and  cost   and  expenses  from  the  time 


40 

they  commenced  working  cane  until  they  finished  working  molasses  into  second 
sugars,  shows  as  follows  : 

Value  of  sugar  sold $17,047.17 

Value  of  sugar  on  hand 7,057.71 

Value  of  sugar  to  make 3,300.00 

Value  of  molasses 6,350.  40 

Value  of  1,200  bushels  select  seed 1,500.00 

Value  of  8, 800  bushels  common  seed 1,320.00 

Two  ceuts  per  pound,  bounty  paid  by  State 8,  004.  76 

844  580.04 

Cash  paid  for  cane 7,536.33 

Amount  of  cane  donated 5, 984. 28 

Cost  of  fuel 7,539.41 

Cost  of  labor  while  working „ 6,594.  46 

Cost  of  salaries  while  workiug 980.  00 

Cost  of  cooperage 1, 370.  67 

Incidentals  while  working 459.  00 

Lubricating  and  oils 145.  00 

Estimated  cost  in  working  balance  sugars 450. 00 

31,059.41 


Profit  of  season's  work 13, 520.  63 

This  factory  did  not  commence  work  until  September  9,  which  was  over  a  month 
after  cane  was  matured,  and  stopped  cutting  cane  November  11,  making  sixty-two 
days,  and  about  one  week  of  that  time  it  was  so  wet  that  farmers  could  not  haul  cane 
out  of  the  field  and  they  were  subjected  to  delays  in  adjusting  machinery  that  would 
be  incident  in  starting  any  new  works  having  as  much  machinery  M  a  sugar  factory. 
Considering  thesedelays,  and  the  fact  that  nearly  all  the  men  were  entirely  inexperi- 
enced and  had  never  worked  in  a  sugar  factory  before,  this  company  has  fully  demon- 
strated that  if  the  conditions  necessary  to  success  are  complied  with  the  manufacture 
of  sugar  in  Kansas  is  going  to  be  agraud  success,  and  more  especially  when  it  is  taken 
into  consideration  (as  demonstrated  by  the  recent  experiment  made  at  this  factory) 
that  beets  can  be  raised  and  made  into  sugar  successfully  as  well  as  sorghum  cane, 
forming  a  combination  that  no  other  country  is  favored  with  and  lengthening  the 
season  of  actual  work  in  manufacturing  to  at  least  six  months  in  the  year. 

I  would  mention  the  following  conditions  necessary  to  exist  in  order  to  success: 
A  location  where  there  is  an  abundant  supply  of  good  water,  at  least  1,000,000  gal- 
lons every  twenty-four  hours. 
Thebestof  machinery,  constructed  and  arranged  with  a  view  of  economy  in  labor. 
Experienced  workmen,  plenty  of  money,  and  good  business  management  : 
A  majority  of  the  factories  in  the  State  have  been  unfortunate  during  the  past  year 
(and  if  a  dividend  has  not  been  declared  1  well  understand  how  difficult  it  is  for  the 
public  to  accept  any  reasons  for  it),  the  causes  <>f  which  arc  easily  explained  and 
well  understood  by  parties  familiar  with  them,  a*  follows:   The  cane  grown  al  the 
live  sugai  factories  located  in  the  western  pai  t  of  I  he  state  did  not  mature  sufficiently 

to  make   sugar,  owing   to  a    scarcity  of  rain   in    that  section   of  the  State,  tin'  oldest 

inhabitants  claiming  thai  it  is  the  first  year  they  have  ever  known  sorghum  cane 

fail  to  mat  ure,  and  other  factories  have  had  an  insufficient  supply  of  water,  defective 
machinery,  a  limited  amount  of  Capital,  and  pOOT  business  management.  I  think  in 
the  future  one  of  the  greatest  drawbacks  to  the  industry  is  going  to  be  in  parties 
seen  iing  subsidies  ami  undertaking  the  business  without  due  regard  to  t  he  condit  ions 

ny  to  Buooess. 

I  feel  that  Messrs.  Kldrcd  and  Iliniuan  deserve  a  great  deal  of  credit,  for  they  have 
worked  untiringly  ami  spent  their  time  and  money  to  make  the  business  a  success , 
not  only  for   the  benefit  of   themselves,   but    for  the   good   of  the    country    at  large. 


41 

They  have  kept  everything  with  a  system,  and  are  ready  and  willing  to  give  the 
public  the  benefit  of  any  knowledge  or  experience  they  may  have  obtained.  There 
are  some  improvements,  which  are  minor  compared  to  the  entire  works,  which  Messrs. 
Eldredand  Hinman  are  contemplating  making  before  the  coumencementof  this  year's 
work,  and  some  other  improvements  they  are  desirous  of  making  which  are  of  more 
importance  and  somewhat  expensive,  to  wit,  to  enlarge  their  storage  and  hot  room 
and  supply  it  with  additional  tauks  so  as  to  reboil  the  molasses  and  store  it  in  the  hot 
room  preparatory  to  graining  and  throw  out  the  sugar  at  the  same  time  they  are 
making  first  sugars,  thereby  saving  the  additional  expense  of  working  over  molasses 
into  second  sugars  after  the  factory  has  stopped  cutting  cane.  They  also  desire  to 
put  in  bone-black  filters  to  filter  the  juice,  and  put  in  a  refinery  in  a  small  way  to 
refine  their  own  product;  also  to  put  in  vats  for  washing  beets,  cutter  to  cut  them, 
and  more  defecators  autl  appliances  for  handling  the  beet  juice  and  utilizing  the 
skimmings  and  settlings. 

I  have  interviewed  Messrs.  Eldred  and  Hinman  as  to  their  views  regarding  the 
financial  success  of  sugar-making  in  Kansas,  and  they  claim  that  it  is  no  longer  an 
experiment,  but  their  work  and  experience  during  the  last  season  have  fully  demon- 
strated to  their  minds  that  if  the  conditions  heretofore  mentioned  are  complied  with 
success  is  assured.  They  claim  that  it  requires  a  largeamount  of  capital  to  construct 
and  operate,  and  will  be  necessary  to  expeud  still  more  in  order  to  secure  the  best 
results.  They  have  great  confidence  in  using  bone-black  filters  and  refining  that 
they  will  greatly  improve  their  sugar  and  make  it  of  an  uniform  grade  and  color, 
and  will  also  improve  the  quality  of  the  molasses  so  as  to  meet  a  ready  sale  at 
more  than  double  the  price  they  are  able  to  obtain  now.  They  feel  quite  confident 
they  will  be  able  to  make  1,500,000  pounds  of  sorghnm  sugar  alone  during  the  pres- 
ent year,  and  with  the  manufacture  of  beet  sugar  in  connection  with  sorghum,  they 
say,  expect  to  greatly  increase  this  amount. 

I  have  talked  with  several  of  the  prominent  farmers  who  raised  cane  the  past 
year  for  the  sugar  factory  aud  they  say  that  even  this  year  the  cane  paid  them  much 
better  than  any  othercrop  they  raised,  and  they  are  making  calculations  on  raising 
both  cane  and  beets  the  present  year. 

Col.  C.  H.  Eldred,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  sugar  works,  is  now  feeding  about 
seven  hundred  head  of  cattle  on  grounds  adjoining  the  sugar  factory  and  is  mixing  one 
third  ground  sorghum  seed  to  two  thirds  corn,  aud  says  that  he  is  getting  better  results 
than  he  ever  did  in  feeding  corn  alone,  and  if  he  had  a  sufficient  amount  of  the  sorghum 
seed  he  would  use  it  in  equal  parts  of  corn.  As  Mr.  Eldred  is  an  experienced  feeder 
of  many  years,  his  judgment  can  be  relied  upon. 

I  do  not  think  Congress  could  make  an  appropriation  with  a  better  prospect 
of  benefiting  the  people  and  country  at  large  than  to  continue  aid  to  this  industry, 
and  I  do  not  think  it  should  be  done  sparingly,  but  liberally  to  those  who  are  work- 
ing in  good  faith  ;iiid  will  use  it  not  only  judiciously,  but  with  good  judgment  for 
the  benefit  of  the  industry  and  the  public  good.  It  maybe  I  am  presuming  too  much 
in  this  direction,  but  I  assure  you  that  it  is  a  matter  I  feel  a  deep  interest  in,  and  if 
it  receives  aid  and  encouragement  I  confidently  believe  that  within  the  next  few 
yoarsit  will  be  the  leading  industry  oi  this  section  of  the  country. 

In  this  my  last  report,  and  closing  my  work  for  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  I 
wish  to  say  my  associations  with  all  parties  connected  with  the  several  sugar  fac- 
tories has  been  <>f  the  most  pleasant  nature  and  I  have  received  the  most  courteous 

treatment  at  their  hands.     And  I  desire  to  extend   my  thanks  for  the  kind  treatment 

and  assistance  in  my  work  that  I  have  received  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 
Trusting  that  I  have  rendered  some  assistance  to  the  enterprise,  and  with  best  wishes 
for  the  future  success  of  the  industry,   I  am 
Yours  very  truly, 

W    \V.  Coos. 
Prof.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemiei  Department  of  Agriculture,  Waekingtof^  D.  0. 


42 


StJJOIARY  OF  JIANUFACTURING  WORK. 

A  general  review  of  the  work  of  the  several  factories  engaged  in 
sorgbum  sugar  making  during  the  past  season  is  not  of  an  encouraging 
character.  In  seven  factories  the  record  is  total  failure.  An  attempt 
to  locate  the  causes  of  these  failures  has  been  made  in  the  discussion 
of  the  several  reports.  The  only  gratification  which  the  Department 
can  derive  from  a  view  of  these  failures  is  in  the  fact  that  they  are  not 
wholly  chargeable  to  irremediable  defects  iu  the  plant  producing  the 
sugar,  but  rather  from  inattention  to  the  facts  demonstrated  in  our  past 
work  and  fully  set  forth  iu  previous  reports,  especially  in  Bulletin  No. 
20.  It  is  scarcely  credible  that  in  some  of  the  places  where  the  season's 
work  was  attended  with  failure  sites  could  have  been  selected  and  fac- 
tories built  in  plain  disregard  of  the  absolute  conditions  of  success  de- 
termined by  the  Department's  work. 

Since  it  is  possible  that  the  same  errors  may  be  repeated,  and  the 
same  disasters  incurred,  it  will  be  well  to  reproduce  the  resume'  of  con- 
ditions for  success  taken  from  Bulletin  20,  pp.  17  et.  seq. 

POINTS   TO   BE   CONSIDERED   IX    BUILDING   A   FACTORY. 

"It  is  of  the  utmost  importance,  both  for  the  individuals  and  the  in- 
dustry, that  intending  investors  in  the  sugar  business  should  carefully 
consider  the  problem  presented  to  them  in  all  its  forms.  Failure  is  not 
only  a  personal  calamity,  but  a  public  one,  in  that  it  deters  capital  from 
investment  in  an  industry  which,  properly  pursued,  gives  promise  of  a 
fair  interest  on  the  money  iuvested. 

"Soil  and  climate. — The  importance  of  soil  and  climate  has  already 
been  discussed.  In  the  light  of  present  experience  it  must  be  conceded 
that  a  soil  and  climate4  similar  to  those  of  southern  central  Kansas  are 
best  suited  to  the  culture  of  sorghum  for  sugar  making  purposes. 
Further  investigations  may  show  that  Texas  and  Louisiana  present 
equally  as  favorable  conditions,  but  this  yet  awaits  demonstration. 
Conditions  approximately  similar  to  those  mentioned  can  doubtless 
be  found  in  Arkansas,  Tennessee,  North  Carolina,  and  other  localities. 
The  expectations  which  were  entertained  and  positively  advocated  a 
tew  years  ago  of  the  establishment  of  a  successful   sorghum   industry 

in  the  great  maize  fields  of  the  country  must  now  be  definitely  aban- 
doned, lie  who  would  now  advise  the  building  of  a  sorghum  sugar 
factory  in  northern  Illinois,  Indiana,  Iowa,  or  Wisconsin,  would  either 
bet  lay  his  ignorance  or  his  obstinacy.  A  season  of  manufacture,  rea- 
sonably certain  for  sixty  days,  is  an  essential  condition  to  success  in 
the  manufacture  of  sorghum  sugar.      Early  frosts  falling  on  cane  still 

immature,  or  a  freezing  temperature  on  ripe  cane  followed  by  warm 

weather,  are  alike  fatal  to  a  favorable  issue  of  the  attempt  to  make  sugar. 
Sober  and  careful  men  will  not  he  misled  by  the  claims  of  the  enthusi- 
ast, by  tin'  making  of  a  few  thousand  pounds  of  sugar  in  Minnesota, 


43 

by  the  graining  of  whole  barrels  of  molasses  in  Iowa.  Four  or  five 
million  acres  of  land  will  produce  all  the  sugar  this  country  can  con- 
sume for  many  years,  and  these  acres  should  be  located  where  the  cli- 
matic conditions  are  most  favorable.  Curing  the  past  season  sorghum 
cane  matured  as  far  north  as  Topeka,  but  in  1886  the  cane  crop  at  Fort 
Scott  was  ruined  by  a  heavy  frost  on  the  29th  of  September,  and  in  1885 
a  like  misfortune  happened  at  Ottawa,  Kans.,  on  the  4th  of  October. 
Tbese  interesting  facts  show  that  these  points  are  on  the  extreme 
northern  limits  of  safety  for  sorghum  sugar  making,  and  the  region  of 
success  will  be  found  to  the  south  and  west  of  them. 

u Natural  fertility  of  soil  must  also  be  considered  as  well  as  favorable 
climate.  The  sandy  pine  lands  of  North  Carolina  can  not  hope  to  com- 
pete with  the  rich  prairies  of  southwestern  Kansas  and  the  Indian 
Territory.  Indeed,  in  my  opinion,  the  last-named  locality,  should  it  ever 
be  opened  to  white  settlers,  is  destined  to  be  the  great  center  of  the 
sorghum  sugar  industry;  nevertheless,  those  who  plant  the  virgin  soils 
of  this  great  southwestern  empire  must  remember  that  to  always  take 
and  never  give  will  tire  the  most  patient  soils,  and  a  just  return  should 
be  annually  made  to  the  willing  fields.  A  judicious  fertilization,  rotation 
of  crops,  and  rest,  will  not  only  preserve  tlienatural  fertility  of  the  fields, 
but  give  even  a  richer  return  in  the  improved  quality  of  the  cane  and 
the  greater  tonnage  secured.  Perhaps  the  most  sensible  solution  of 
the  problem  of  the  disposition  of  the  waste  chips  will  be  found  in  re- 
turning them  to  the  soil.  These  chips  have  a  positive  manurial  value 
in  the  nitrogen  they  contain,  while  their  merely  physical  effect  on  the 
soil  may  prove  of  the  highest  importance. 

u  Water  supply. — The  misfortunes  which  have  attended  many  attempts 
in  the  manufacture  of  sugar  by  diffusion,  by  reason  of  an  imperfect  or 
insufficient  water  supply,  are  a  sufficient  warning  on  this  subject  to  the 
careful  student.  Not  only  should  the  water  supply  be  abundant  and  easily 
accessible,  but  that  portion  of  it,  at  least,  which  is  to  be  used  in  the  bat- 
tery should  be  as  pure  as  possible.  The  presence  of  carbonate  of  lime 
and  some  other  carbonates  in  water  is  not  injurious,  but  the  evil  effects 
of  a  large  amount  of  Other  kinds  of  mineral  matter  are  shown  in  t  lie  data 
from  Conway  Springs.  When  the  supply  of  water  is  insufficient  it  has 
been  customary  to  use  ponds  for  receiving  the  waste  from  the  factory, 
bo  that  it  may  be  used  again.    This  method  is  applicable  if  care  be 

taken  to  prevent  organic  matters,  scums,  etc.,  from  entering  the  water 

supply.    In  case  this  precaution  is  not  taken  the  operator  of  the  factory 

may  find  himself  in  the  condition  in  which  the  Department  was  placed 
in  its  first  experiments  at  Ottawa  and  Fori  Bcott,  in  being  compelled  to 
use  water  foul  and   putrescent      It  is  scaicely  safe   to  rely  upon   a  well 

fora  supply  of  water,  especially  if  it  has  to  be  sunk  to  any  depth.  Where 
pumping  machinery  must  be  placed  mauj  feet  belo*  the  surface,  as  in 

the  era  in)  ted  condition  which  attends  its  erection  in  a  well,  sci  ions  diffi- 
culties may  arise  from  the  machinery  getting  out  of  order,  ami  a  great 


44 

loss  of  energy  may  ensue  from  the  necessity  of  liftiug  the  water  to  a 
great  height.  In  all  cases  where  it  is  possible  a  ruuning  stream  of 
water  should  be  selected  for  the  supply,  and  the  factory  should  be 
placed  conveniently  near  its  banks.  The  importance  of  this  matter  is 
emphasized  the  more  when  it  is  considered  that  the  most  favorable 
localities  for  sugar  making,  as  indicated  by  the  present  state  of  our 
knowledge,  are  situated  in  regions  where  the  water  supply  is  notably 
deficient.  Yet  it  must  be  admitted  that  even  in  southern  and  western 
Kansas  it  will  not  be  difficult  to  find  localities  for  the  erection  of  sugar 
factories  where  the  water  supply  is  certain  aud  abundant.  In  the  light 
of  past  experience  it  is  not  probable  that  any  further  mistakes  will  be 
made  in  this  direction.  Careful  estimates  should  be  made  of  the  quan- 
tity of  water  required,  and  absolute  certainty  should  be  secured  of  the 
supply  of  that  amount  of  water,  and  even  of  a  much  greater  amount  in 
cases  of  emergency.  The  only  safety  will  be  found  in  some  such  plan 
as  this. 

"Proximity  of  cane  fields. — Another  point  which  must  be  taken  into 
consideration  in  the  location  of  a  factory  is  the  distance  which  the  cane 
is  to  be  transported.  This  is  a  matter  which  of  course  the  farmers  rais- 
ing the  cane  are  more  interested  in  than  the  proprietors  of  the  factory, 
when  the  cane  is  grown  by  contract.  With  good  roads,  in  a  level  coun- 
try, it  is  easy  to  draw  from  1£  to  2  tons  of  field-cane  at  each  load.  The 
average  price  which  is  paid  for  such  cane  at  the  present  time  is  $2  per 
ton.  It  is  evident  that  at  a  given  distance,  varying  according  to  the 
price  of  teams  aud  labor  in  each  locality,  the  cost  of  transportation 
would  equal  the  total  receipts  for  the  cane ;  in  this  case  the  farmer 
would  have  nothing  left  to  pay  for  the  raising  of  the  cane  and  profit. 
Evidently  true  economy,  from  an  agricultural  point  of  view,  would  re- 
quire the  cane  to  be  grown  as  near  the  factory  as  possible.  It  would 
be  well,  indeed,  if  all  the  cane  could  be  grown  within  a  radius  of  1 
mile  from  the  factory.  This  would  give,  in  round  numbers,  2,000  acres 
tributary  to  a  factory.  With  an  ordinary  season  this  ought  to  produce 
20,000  tons  of  cane.  The  lengthening  of  the  radius  of  this  circle  by  one- 
half  mile  would  give  the  greatest  distance  to  be  hauled  U  miles,  thus 
vastly  increasing  the  surface  tributary  to  the  central  factory.  It  is 
true  thai  at  the  present  time  farmers  are  easily  found  who  are  willing 
to  draw  their  cane  4,  5,  and  even  (J  miles,  but  this  condition  of  affairs 
can  not  be  continued  when  the  business  is  fully  established  and  the 
factories  in  sharp  competition  with  each  other.  In  ease  the  exhausted 
Chips  are  to  be  returned  to  the  soil  as  fertilizer  the  importance  of  a  cen- 
trally located  factory,  as  described,  Is  <i<>ui>ly  emphasized. 

"Fuel— A  cheap  and  abundant  supply  of  fuel  is  not  less  important 

than  the  raw  material  to  be  manufactured  into  sugar.    As  far  as  the 

sorghum-sugar  industry  is  concerned  the  coal  which  is  used  for  fuel  is 
transported  almost  exclusively  by  rail.  In  locating  a  factory,  therefore, 
both  tor  convenience  of  shipping  the  product  and  for  receiving  a  sup- 


45 

ply  of  fuel,  it  should  be  placed  sufficiently  near  a  railway  line  to  enable 
it  to  be  connected  therewith  by  a  switch.  It  is  better,  however,  that 
the  switch  should  be  of  some  considerable  length  than  that  the  water 
supply  should  be  remote  or  the  cane  in  distant  fields. 

u  The  problem  of  burning  the  exhausted  chips  has  not  yet  been  success- 
fully solved,  and  I  doubt  very  much  whether  it  will  be.*  Save  the  soft, 
ening  which  the  chips  undergo  in  the  process  of  diffusion  the  difficulty 
of  expressing  the  water  from  them  is  as  great  as  that  of  expressing  the 
juice  from  fresh  chips.  Thus  to  dry  the  chips  sufficiently  to  make  them 
economical  for  fuel  would  require  a  vast  expenditure  of  power,  which 
would  hardly  be  supplied  by  the  increased  supply  of  steam  generated  by 
their  combustion.  Experiments  during  the  seasons  1887-88  at  Magnolia 
Plantation,  Louisiana,  showed  that  an  ordinary  cane-mill  was  poorly 
adapted  to  the  pressure  of  exhausted  cane  chips.  The  feeding  of  the 
mill  was  difficult,  and  the  amount  of  fuel  produced  seemed  wholly  dis- 
proportional  to  the  expense  of  preparing  it.  It  has  been  proposed  to 
try  the  process  used  for  extracting  the  water  from  beet  pulp  for  the 
purpose  of  drying  sorghum  chips.  There  is  nothing  whatever  in  the 
experience  of  the  beet-sugar  factories  to  warrant  the  belief  that  such 
a  process  would  render  the  chips  sufficiently  dry  to  burn.  Although  I 
would  not  be  considered  as  discouraging  any  further  attempts  in  the 
direction  of  preparing  sorghum  chips  for  fuel,  I  must  be  allowed  to  ex- 
press the  belief  that  for  some  time  to  come  coal  must  be  chiefly  relied 
upon. 

uIf  the  chips  are  to  be  successfully  burned  in  the  future  we  may  make 
up  our  mind  that  it  will  have  to  be  done  by  previous  pressure  in  mills 
which  in  all  their  appointments  shall  be  as  strong  and  efficient  as  those 
which  have  been  in  use  for  expressing  the  juice  from  cane.  It  can  not 
be  hoped  that  these  chips  will  be  made  sufficiently  dry  by  exposing 
them  to  the  sun,  and  in  artificial  desiccation  the  amount  of  fuel  required 
would  be  almost  as  great  as  that  used  in  the  evaporation  of  the  original 
juice.  It  ifl  claimed  that  at  Wonopringo,  in  Java,  as  reported  iu  the 
New  Orleans  Item  of  December  16,  1888,  the  Fives-Lille  Company  has 
succeeded  in  drying  the  chips  by  passing  them  through  two  powerful 
three-roll  mills,  anl  that  the  chips  thus  dried  do  not  contain  more  than 
55  per  cent,  of  moisture  and  burn  readily  in  an  automatic  furnace  in- 
invented  by  Godillot.  If  it  be  assumed  that  100  pounds  of  chips  con- 
tain 10  pounds  of  combustible  matter,  it  is  seen  that  nearly  SO  pounds  of 
water  will  have  to  be  expressed  therefrom  before  they  are  fit  for  fuel. 
I  am  doubtful  whether  such  a  process  will  prove  profitable  save  in  coun- 
tries where  fuel  is  very  dear,  as  it  is  in  Java  and  Cuba. 

"  Cost  of  factory.—  It  is  an  almost  universal  experience  that  the  actual 
cost  of  a  sugar  factory  18  underestimated  by  those  who   undertake  its 

erection.    Many  of  the  disasters  which  have  attended  the  manufacture 


"  SiDOe  tliis  was  written    farther  experiment!  arc  more  t'a\  arable  to  the   possibility 

Of  economically  using  the  chips  fol  fuel. 


46 

of  sorghum  sugar  have  beeu  due  to  nii scale ulatiou  of  the  cost  of  the 
apparatus  necessary  for  the  purpose.  It  is  the  part  of  wisdom  to  avoid 
mistakes  of  this  kiud,  aud  before  undertaking  the  election  of  a  factory 
to  fully  understand  the  amount  of  outlay  which  will  be  required.  The 
cost  of  the  factory  will,  of  course,  vary  according  to  its  capacity  and  the 
character  of  the  machinery  and  building  erected.  Iu  my  opinion  there 
is  little  economy  in  using  cheap  machinery,  hastily  and  poorly  put  to- 
gether. Success  is  more  likely  to  be  obtained  by  using  the  very  best 
machinery  which  has  beeu  devised  for  sugar-making  purposes,  aud 
erecting  it  in  a  lasting  and  substantial  manner.  The  economy  which  is 
secured  in  operating  such  machinery  far  exceeds  that  which  would  be 
obtained  by  erecting  a  cheaper  plant.  The  character  of  the  building 
must  also  be  taken  into  consideration;  it  should  be  sufficiently  large  to 
allow  a  proper  disposition  of  all  parts  of  the  machinery  without  crowd- 
ing, and  sufficiently  strong  to  afford  a  proper  support  for  such  portions 
thereof  as  may  rest  upon  it.  Due  regard  should  also  be  paid  to  risks 
of  lire,  and  that  portion  of  the  factory  especially  exposed  to  such  dan- 
gers should  be  made  as  nearly  as  possible  fire-proof.  The  plans  and 
specifications  for  all  the  machinery  should  be  carefully  prepared  under 
the  direction  of  a  competent  engineer  and  architect,  and  the  machinery 
furnished  by  manufacturing  firms  whose  experience  and  reputation  are 
a  guaranty  of  the  excellence  of  their  work.  For  a  complete  factory, 
capable  of  working  200  tons  per  day,  the  cost  may  be  estimated  at 
860,000  for  a  minimum  and  8100,000  for  a  maximum,  the  difference  be- 
ing caused  by  the  elaborateness  of  the  work.  This  may  seem  a  large 
sum,  but  it  is  highly  important  that  intending  investors  should  know 
the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking  which  they  propose.  An  estimate 
which  exceeds  the  actual  outlay  by  810,000  will  be  far  more  satisfactory 
to  all  parties  concerned  than  one  which  falls  short  of  it  by  the  same 
amount. 

"Technical  and  chemical  control. — The  manufacture  of  sugar  from 
Sorghum  is  no  mysterious  process  known  only  to  one  or  two  persons,  as 
attempts  have  been  made  to  establish ;  nevertheless  it  must  be  under- 
stood that  without  experience  in  the  manufacture  of  sugar  the  most 
competent  engineer  may  fail.  It  is  best,  therefore,  that  intending  in- 
vestors understand  this  beforehand  that  they  ma\  be  able  to  secure  some 
one  to  take  charge  of  the  manufacture  of  sugar  who  thoroughly  un- 
derstands the  needs  of  the  business  and  has  had  some  experience  in  the 
conduct  thereof.  Perhaps  there  are  not  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty 
such  men  now  in  the  United  States,  but  their  number  will  be  largely 
increased  within  a  short  time.  It  would  seem,  therefore,  that  the  num- 
ber of  factories  which  could  be  successfully  operated  in  the  next  year 
or  two  is  limited,  and  this  f;ict  should  be  taken  into  careful  considera- 
tion 1»\  those  intending  to  invest  nioie-y  in  the  business.  An  intelli- 
gent young  man  of  good  education,  with  quick  perceptions  and  of  in- 
dustrious habits,  would  be  able  iu  one  year,  working  iu  a  sorghum- 


47 

sugar  factory,  to  obtain  a  knowledge  which  would  enable  him  to  take 
charge  of  a  factory,  with  some  degree  of  success,  on  his  own  responsi- 
bility. One  object  which  the  Department  has  had  in  view  in  its  experi- 
ments has  been  in  having  them  open,  not  only  to  public  inspection,  but  to 
careful  technical  study,  to  such  persons  as  chose  to  make  the  attempt. 

uThe  importance  of  chemical  control  of  the  manufacturing  work  is  so 
evident  that  I  need  not  dwell  upon  it  long.  The  vagaries  of  the  sorghum 
plant  are  so  pronounced  as  to  require  the  careful  supervision  of  the 
chemist  at  all  times.  In  localities  not  far  removed  differences  in  the 
character  of  the  sorghum  are  most  marked,  as  illustrated  by  the  data 
obtained  at  Conway  Springs  and  Douglass,  Kans.,  during  the  past  year. 
To  determine  the  fitness  of  the  cane  for  the  manufacture  of  sugar,  con- 
trol the  workings  of  the  factory,  and  find  and  remove  the  sources  of 
loss  in  the  sugar-house,  are  duties  which  can  be  committed  only  to  the 
chemist.  For  many  years,  at  least,  this  chemical  supervision  will  be 
necessary,  and  its  utility  will  always  continue." 

There  are  a  few  observations  which  the  experience  of  the  past  season 
makes  pertinent.  First  of  all,  until  exhaustive  studies  of  the  agricult- 
ural conditions  can  be  obtained,  it  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  fac- 
tories should  not  be  built  in  arid  regions  such  as  were  presented  last 
year  by  Ness  City,  Mead,  etc.  It  would  be  criminal  rashness  to  multi- 
ply factories  in  such  localities,  and  a  most  reprehensible  advocacy  of 
the  industry  to  persuade  communities  or  capitalists  to  invest  in  them. 
It  may  be,  as  has  already  been  intimated,  that  some  system  of  agricult- 
ure will  be  devised  which  will  insure  with  reasonable  certainty  a  good 
crop.  It  is  not  necessary  to  the  success  of  the  industry  that  a  fine  crop 
should  be  made  every  year,  but  it  is  necessary  that  a  crop  of  fair 
quality  be  assured.  It  has  been  demonstrated  that  under  the  condi- 
tions obtaining  this  year,  such  assurance  is  impossible  in  the  localities 
mentioned  above.  The  climatic  history  of  that  portion  of  the  State 
indicates  that  in  a  majority  of  the  seasons  no  better  results  can  be  ex- 
pected than  were  obtained  this  year.  To  represent  to  an  already  griev- 
ously  burdened  community  that  favorable  results  are  certain,  and  on 
the  basis  of  sucli  a  misrepresentation  to  induce  it  to  further  burden 
itself  with  an  overwhelming  debt  is  a  plan  of  procedure  which  should 
deserve  only  condemnation  from  official  quarters.  In  respect  of  the 
central  southern  portion  of  the  State  two  seasons  of  valuable  experience 
have  shown  that  a  crop  of  high  sugar  producing  quality  can  be  grown, 
Furthermore,  the  climatic*  history  of  that  portion  of  the  Slate  indicates 
that  as  a  rule  such  a  crop  can  be  made.  Doubtless  there  will  be  many 
seasons  of  poorer   crops,  but    lew   or  any    of  total    failure.      Until    the 

sorghum-sugar  industry  shall  have  been  more  tirnily  established,  it  is 
the  part  of  wisdom  to  confine  it  to  limits  w  hose  conditions  are  already 

determined.     Any  transgression  of  these  limits  should  l»e  the  piero-a 
tive  of  culture  experiments  alone.      In   view  of  these   tacts  it  would  he 

well  if  new  ventures  in  sorghum-sugar  making,  in  ><>  far  as  Kansas  is 


48 

concerned,  should  not  be  found  farther  west  than  Medicine  Lodge  nor 
farther  north  thau  Wichita.  In  the  case  of  abundant  private  capital, 
words  of  warning  are  scarcely  necessary.  The  capitalist,  even  if  the 
venture  miscarry,  is  not  bankrupt.  Official  reports  should  be  calm, 
dispassionate,  and  unbiased.  Representing  in  these  matters  the  De- 
partment, I  desire  to  appear  neither  as  an  enthusiast  nor  an  alarmist, 
but  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  fully  apprise  every  interested  person,  not 
only  of  .the  possibilities  of  success  but  also  of  the  dangers  of  defeat.  It 
is  my  purpose  to  prevent  official  reports  from  being  used  to  promote 
the  erection  of  sugar  factories  in  impossible  places.  Success  will  never 
come  to  sorghum  from  coercing  nature  with  Congressional  appropria- 
tions and  town  and  county  bonds.  Wise  protective  legislation,  judi- 
cious experiment,  and  patient  investigations  will  gradually  lead  the  way 
to  success  if  success  is  to  be  obtained.  My  advice  to  each  community, 
however,  in  respect  of  sugar  factories,  is  to  await  the  investment  of 
private  capital.  There  is  danger  in  every  project  of  essentially  a  pri- 
vate nature  which  depends  for  its  inception  on  the  pledge  of  a  local 
bonded  indebtedness.  There  are  already  enough  factories  built  to  test 
the  possibilities  of  sorghum.  Wait  and  see  what  the  result  will  be.  It 
may  be  further  stated  that  this  view  of  the  matter  has  been  reached 
after  careful  consideration  incited  by  the  reception  of  numerous  letters 
from  various  localities  in  Kansas,  asking  advice  in  respect  of  voting 
bonds  to  sorghum-sugar  [manufactories.  There  is  no  question  of  the 
fact  that  success  will  come,  if  it  come  at  all,  to  the  sorghum  sugar  in- 
dustry, not  through  the  present  multiplication  of  factories,  but  by 
making  even  one  factory  thoroughly  successful.  Not  a  single  town  or 
county  bond  is  needed  for  this  result. 

In  respect  of  the  water  supply,  the  disasters  of  the  past  season  speak 
more  eloquently  than  words.  It  has  been  demonstrated  that  a  sufficient 
water  supply  can  not  be  had  from  a  well.  The  factory  of  Medicine 
Lodge  owes  its  success  chiefly  to  its  inexhaustible  supply  of  water.  The 
sooner  the  other  factories  are  placed  on  the  banks  of  streams,  which 
even  in  the  driest  seasons  furnish  surface  water,  the  better.  It  is  pus 
sible  that  in  the  immediate  Arkansas  Valley  a  sufficient  number  of 
wells  might  be  secured  to  supply  a  factory  with  water,  but  in  this  ease 
even  it  is  much  safer  to  lay  a  pipe  to  the  river.  With  oar  present 
knowledge  it  should  be'well  understood  that  any  one  proposing  to  erect 
a  oew  factory  and  to  take  the  water  supply  thereof  from  a  well,  represents 
a  thoroughly  unreliable  plan,  and  is  unworthy  of  credence  or  support 
Before  last  season  the  well,  as  a  water  supply,  was  an  improbability ; 
now  it  is  an  anachronism.  There  is  water  enough  in  central  southern 
Kansas  to  supply  a  hundred  sugar  factories.  There  ought  not  to  be 
money  enough  in  the  whole  country  to  build  one  depending  on  a  well. 
The  man  who  honestly  visits  a  locality  in  the  interests  of  a  sorghum 
sugar  factory  will  look  for  water  before  he  asks  for  bonds.  I  lave  nothing 
Whatever  to  do  With  him  who  asks  for  bonds  first.     There  is  another 


49 

point  which  ought  to  be  considered  in  voting  bonds.  A  good  sugar 
factory,  to  give  promise  of  success,  will  cost  fully  $100,000.  In  granting 
bonded  aid  assurauce  should  be  given  that  the  beneficiaries  have  also 
something  to  invest  and  that  they  will  invest  it.  A  town  granting 
$20,000  should  be  certain  that  the  other  $80,000  are  forthcoming.  To 
throw  together  a  collection  of  crude  and  cheap  machines,  unwisely 
placed  and  rudely  covered,  is  a  method  of  sorghum-sugar  factory  build- 
ing that  has  already  had  ample  illustration.  The  community  which  be- 
comes a  participant  in  a  work  of  this  kind  should  be  protected  in  some 
way  against  such  disasters.  I  would  be  willing  to  withdraw  my  ob- 
jection to  bond  voting,  could  I  see  a  town  aiding  to  the  extent  of  $20,000 
in  the  erection  of  a  factory  on  an  ample  stream  of  water  to  which  are 
tributary  some  thousands  of  acres  of  excellent  cane  land  in  an  approved 
climate,  and  under  the  control  of  men  who  have  carefully  studied  the 
whole  problem  of  sugar-making,  and  who  would  bring  to  the  work 
$80,000  of  their  own  money  and  the  best  technical  and  chemical  skill 
that  could  be  obtained. 

Two  factories  have  been  operated  in  such  a  way  as  to  almost  pay 
running  expenses.  In  a  general  review  of  their  work  it  can  be  seen 
that,  with  a  more  perfect  adjustment  of  parts,  the  balance  of  the  books 
would  have  shown  a  profit.  The  most  discouraging  point  in  connection 
with  such  work  is  the  depressing  effect  it  has  upon  the  industry.  Men 
who  have  worked  hard,  night  and  day,  spending  not  only  their  time 
and  energy,  but  also  their  money,  and  without  return,  can  not  be  ex- 
pected to  persevere.  There  are  to-day  many  men  bankrupt  or  nearly 
so  who  a  few  years  ago  were  in  prosperous  circumstances.  These  re- 
verses are  due  to  their  attempts  to  make  sorghum  sugar.  The  long  list 
of  disasters,  now  extending  over  many  years,  can  not  fail  of  their  effect, 
and  this  effect  is  not  confined  alone  to  those  who  suffered,  but  their 
depression  naturally  extended  to  others  who,  in  other  circumstances, 
would  be  ready  to  embark  in  the  industry. 

Many  of  those  who  have  suffered  have  been  led  to  go  into  the  busi- 
ness by  having  represented  to  them  only  one  side  of  the  problem,  or  by 
statements  presumably  from  those  properly  informed,  calculated  to  de- 
ceive and  mislead.  In  other  cases  the  unfortunates  have  only  them- 
selves to  blame,  inasmuch  as  they  have  had  access  to  all  the  facts  and 
have  not  made  use  of  their  opportunities. 

§1  HHABV    OF    CULTURE    EXPERIMENTS. 

The  most  instructive  fact  connected  with  the  culture  experiments  is 

revealed  by  the  Statement  of  the  results  obtained  in  localities  recci\  ing 

markedly  different  quantities  of  sunlight  These  differences  were  also 
attendod  by  varying  quantities  of  rain,    It  is,  however,  apparent  that 

moisfriro,  when  not  present  in  egoefiS,  is  b.Mirlieial  to  the  nop,  and    the 

17o<>7-nui,L.  i^— 4 


50 

following  principles  will  be  easily  established  by  the  experience  already 
obtained: 

(1)  The  quantity  of  moisture  being  famished  necessary  to  the  proper 
growth  of  the  cane,  the  content  of  sugar,  other  thiugs  being  equal,  will 
depend  upon  the  total  quantity  of  sunlight  received. 

(2)  Excess  of  moisture  diminishes  the  content  of  sugar  both  by  reason 
of  interfering  with  the  proper  nutrition  and  cultivation  of  the  plant,  and 
by  reason  of  being  conditional  on  numerous  cloudy  days,  diminish- 
ing the  quantity  of  light  and  heat  received. 

(3)  The  content  of  water  in  mature  normal  canes  is  but  little  influenced 
by  the  rain-fall. 

(4)  A  mean  summer  temperature  of  70°  Fah.  for  the  three  mouths  of 
June,  July,  and  August  gives  a  minimum  of  heat  necessary  to  the  ma- 
turation of  the  earlier  varieties  of  cane. 

(5)  South  of  the  mean  isotherm  of  70°  Fah.  for  the  summer  mouths  is 
a  broad  belt  suitable  for  the  growth  of  sorghum,  the  most  favorable 
portion  of  which  is  the  semi-arid  region  of  the  southwestern  central  por- 
tion of  the  United  States. 

(6)  The  corresponding  arid  regions  of  the  country  would  become  suit- 
able to  sorghum  production,  with  a  minimum  amount  of  irrigation. 

(7)  On  account  of  the  frequent  recurrence  of  very  wet  seasous  in  all 
regions  east  of  the  Mississippi  River,  the  commercial  success  of 
sorghum,  as  a  sugar-making  crop,  in  those  localities  is  not  to  be  ex- 
pected. 

(8)  The  cause  of  a  poor  yield  of  sugar  in  sorghum  of  high  polarization 
is  due  to  the  presence  ot  some  form  of  carbohydrates  or  other  organic 
body,  exercising  a  higher  inelassigenic  power  than  invert  sugar  or  any 
form  of  levulose  and  dextrose. 

(9)  The  tendency  of  selected  seeds  from  rich  canes  to  produce  a  uni- 
form crop  of  high  polarizing  canes  is  established  under  favorable  ther- 
mic and  photic  conditions. 

(10)  The  possibility  of  developing,  from  existing  varieties,  a  perma- 
nently improved  crop  capable  of  cultivation  for  manufacturing  purposes 
is  fully  assured. 

(11)  The  prospects  of  doing  this  with  two  or  three  of  the  standard 
varieties  is  more  promising  than   dependence  on    an  experimental  or 

fortuitous  development  of  a  new  variety  free  from  the  faults  inherent 
in  sorghum. 

Important  aid  which  the  Department  can  extend  to  the  sugar  in* 
(lusti.N  of  the  future  is  in  the  line  of  culture  experiments  and  work 
with  new  processes  of  separating  the  sugar  from  the  molasses,  or  in 
other  new  and  untried  lines  of  work  which  contain  any  promise  of  suc- 
cess, in  respect  of  culture  experiments,  it  is  also  highly  important 
that  any  aid  given  by  Congress  should  be  provided  for  early  in  the 

season.     An  appropriation  which  is  often   not    made  until  late  in   the 
Spring  and  which  does  not    become  available  until  Julv  1,  is  of  little 


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51 

value  for  agricultural  work.  For  this  reasou  the  appropriations  made 
for  scientific  agricultural  experiments  should  be  measured  by  the  cal- 
endar and  not  by  the  fiscal  year.  I  would  especially  urge  that  you 
bring  this  matter  before  the  agricultural  committees  of  the  two  houses 
of  Congress,  and  secure  from  them  suitable  recommendations  to  make 
the  above  suggestions  effective.  Many  of  the  disasters  which  attended 
our  earlier  experiments  in  the  manufacture  of  sugar  were  due  to  the 
causes  above  mentioned,  and  the  removal  of  that  source  of  disaster 
will  doubtless  greatly  promote  the  success  of  our  future. 

CULTURE   EXPERIMENTS   AT   COLLEGE   STATION,   MARYLAND. 

In  harmony  with  instructions  received  from  you,  I  made  arrange- 
ments with  Hon.  H.  E.  Alvord,  director  of  the  Maryland  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station,  and  Mr.  D.  M.  Nesbit,  of  College  Station,  for  the 
growth  of  many  varieties  of  sorghum.  Major  Alvord  planted  10  acres 
under  this  arrangement,  and  Mr.  Nesbit  5, 

The  land  planted  by  Major  Alvord  was  plotted  and  numbered  accord- 
ing to  the  plan  given  in  the  accompanying  diagram. 

The  composition  of  the  fertilizers  employed  on  the  plots  indicated  by 
the  letters  A,  B,  C,  etc.,  is  found  in  the  following  table. 

The  unlettered  plots  were  fertilized  with  a  mixture  of  the  various 
substances  used.  The  especial  object  of  the  lettered  plots  was  to  de- 
termine the  influence  of  the  different  fertilizers,  and  mixtures  thereof, 
on  the  yield  and  sugar  content  of  the  canes. 

Application  of  fertilizers. 
[Capital  letters  indicate  the  plot  to  which  the  appended  fertilizer  was  applied.] 

A — Corn  guano.  L — Sulphate  of  ammonia. 

B— Fine  hone.  M— Sulphate  of  potash. 

C — Muriate  of  potash.  N — Mixture  No.  1. 

I)— Mixture  No.  2.  O — Acid  phosphate. 

E — Kainite.  P — Mixture  No.  3. 

F — Ammonite  or  cotton-seed  meal.  Q — Mixture  No.  4. 

G — Ammoniated  dissolved  hone.  R— Dissolved  hone-hlaek. 

H — Nitrate  of  soda.  S— Cotton-seed  hull  ashes. 

I— No  fertilizer.  T— Mixture  No.  5. 

J — No  fertilizer.  U — No  fertilizer. 

K — Thomas-slag.  V — No  fertilizer. 

B«M  of  application. 

Ponnda 

pel    .lire. 

Nitrate  of  soda  ( one  pari  i 320 

Superphosphate,  dissolved  hone,  ami  Thomas-slag  (one  part) 480 

Ifnriated  potash  ami  cotton-seed  hull  ashes  (one part) 320 

Kain it e.  (one  part) i  —  < » 

Sulphate  of  potash  (  one  pai  I  ) .;.'>> 

Sulphate  of  ammonia  (one  part  | :{•„><) 

Cot  t  ou-seed  meal  and  ammonite  (one  part) 

Mi.rt ii i  is. 

(1)  Nitrate  of  soda,  one-half  part  ;  superphosphate,  one  part:  muriate  of  potash, 
one  part. 

(*2)  Ammonite  Or  cotton-seed  meal,  one  part  ;  line  hone,  one  part  ;  kainite,  one 
part. 


52 

(3)  Nitrate  of  soda,  one-half  part ;  Thomas-slag,  one  part;  kainite,  one-half  part; 
muriate  of  potash,  one-half  part. 

(4)  Nitrate  of  soda,  one-half  part;  sulphate  of  potash,  one-half  part;  fine  hone, 
oue  part. 

(5)  Sulphate  of  ammonia,  one  part ;  sulphate  of  potash,  one  part. 

Description  of  samples  of  fertilizers  used  at  the  Maryland  .stations. 


Serial 
No. 

Fertilizers. 

Serial 
No. 

Fertilizers. 

6377  Fine  boue. 

6378  Corn  guauo. 

6379  Muriate  of  potash. 

6380  ;  Kainite. 
g:jsi     Ammonite. 
6383     Acid  phosphate. 

6383     Amuioniattd  dissolved  bone. 

6421 
(5422 
6423 
6424 
6425 
6426 
6J27 

Aminoniuui  sulphate. 
Dried  blood. 
Tbonias-slag. 
Nit  rate  of  soda. 
Dissolved  bone-black. 
Sulphate  of  potash. 
Cotton-seed  bull  ash. 

Analyses. 


Serial  No. 

Moisture. 

Total 

phosphoric 

acid. 

Soluble 

phosphoric 

acid. 

Reverted 
phosphoric 

acid. 

K,0 

Am- 
monia. 

6377 

6378 

6379 

6380 

638] 

C382. 

6383 

6421 

7.44 
15.78 
.62 
9.58 
8.26 
11.78 
10.67 

29.  68 
14.  53 

4.59 
2.24 

.44 

49.  97 

12.  37 

4.62 
20.  30 
18.69 

11.44 
6.73 

7.00 
8.09 

24.45 
14.90 

6422 

6123 

6424 

.22 

19.59 

18.05 
.82 

6425 

6426 

6427 

18.31 

12.72 

5.96 

16.42 

15.  34 

.74 

"  27."50' 
25.45 

8.67 

The  character  of  the  field-work  performed  is  fully  set  forth  in  the  fol- 
lowing report: 

January  31,  1890, 

DEAB  Sill:  I  have  the  honor  to  suhmit  the  following  report  upon  the  essential  tacts 
connected  with  the  cultivation,  on  tho  farm  of  this  station,  dining  the  year  1889,  Of 
in  aores  of  sorghum,  in  accordance  with  a  contract  made  with  the  W  8.  Department 
of  Agriculture,  with  tho  terms  of  which  yon  an;  familiar,  and  under  your  instruc- 
tions and  supervision. 

The  land,  laid  oil"  in  accordance  with  a  plot  furnished  by  you,  had  been  irregularly 
and  poorly  cultivated  prior  to  1888,  ami  was  in  low  condition.  In  1888  it  brought  a 
Light  crop  of  oats  and  was  seeded  to  clover.  The  clover  was  badly  winter-killed 
|  I  38&  -•'  I,  arid  very  little  was  left  growing  on  the  10-acre  square  w  ben  assigned  to  the 
sorghum  last  April,  except  a  strip  a  few  rods  wide  across  the  north  side  of  the  field; 
there  a  very  good  clover  lay  was  turned  under. 

The  land  was  plowed  at  intervals  in  April  and  May,  as  tho  season  and  tho  condi- 
tion of  the   soil  permitted,    bnl  there  were  1  1  rainy  days  in  April,  90  in   May,  and  1") 

j,,  j,,IM — vj.ij  Lnohea  of  rain-fall  on  this  Held  in  these  three  months  -so  that  work  was 

Continually   interrupted.     Most   of  the   time  a   team   OOUld  not  cross    the  field,    and 
progress  was  very  slow. 

The  planting,  Which  it  was  intended  to  do  the  Inst  half  Of  May,  OOUld  not  be  be- 
gun till  the  18th  of  June,  and  was  dot  finished  till  the  24th,  The  land  was  well  pre- 
pared tor  a  seed-bed  before  the  planting,  and  the  fertilisers  applied  as  described  later. 
After  .planting,  heavy  rains  came,  greatly  impeding  vegetation  and  uecoHHitatiug  coil' 


53 

tinuous  hand  labor,  breaking  the  surface  crust  and  nursing  the  young  plants  as  they 
appeared,  in  order  to  secure  any  sort  of  a  "  stand." 

The  Early  Orange,  Early  Amber,  Link's  Hybrid,  and  Kansas  Orange  were  first 
planted  on  the  four  half-acre  plots,  1,  2,  3,  and  25,  in  the  middle  of  the  field,  aud  "  the 
pedigree  seed"  in  the  north  section,  of  about  4  acres,  next.  These  seeds  or  varieties 
were  nearly  all  up  and  in  sight  by  the  time  the  last  planting  was  finished,  or  on  25th 
of  June. 

As  already  stated,  the  germination  was  generally  good,  but  vegetation  and  early 
growth  exceedingly  slow,  under  the  most  unfavorable  conditions. 

The  commercial  fertilizers  used  were  sent  here  partly  from  Washington,  by  your 
order,  and  partly  from  Baltimore,  upon  my  order,  given  by  your  direction  aud  subse- 
quently approved  by  you. 

Samples  of  all  the  fertilizers  were  taken  and  sent  to  you,  aud  I  have  a  transcript, 
kindly  furnished  by  yon,  of  their  analyses. 

My  instructions  were  to  apply  fertilizers  alike,  and  at  my  discretion,  to  the  whole 
north  section  of  the  field,  or  the  four  acres  assigned  to  the  pedigreed  seed.  I  re- 
garded a  complete  fertilizer  or  general  mixture  as  best  suited  to  this  purpose  and  ac- 
cordingly made  three  mixtures,  of  nitrogenous,  phosphatic,  and  potassic  materials, 
respectively,  and  as  follows : 

For  4  acres  mixed  three  lots  manures,  viz  : 

Lot  A  :  ■  Pounds. 

Ammonite 300 

Dried  blood 300 

Sulphate  ammonia 300 

Total 900 

LotB: 

Fine  bono 3G8 

Dissolved  bone-black 45(5 

Thomas  slag  meal 100 

Ammoniated  dissolved  bone 45G 

Aeid  phosphate 510 

Total .., 1,8*0 

Lot  C : 

II  uriate  potash 360 

Sulphate  potash 3(60 

Kainite 240 

Cotton-seed  hull  ashes 400 

Total 1,360 

Aggregate 4.150 

These  three  lots,  separately  well  mixed,  were  separately  applied  by  being  evenly 

and  lightly  drilled  into  the  surface  soil,  with  a  grain-drill,  before  the  planting.  Tho 
application  was  made  both  ways  on  the  field  and  very  uniformly. 

Subsequently,  on  these  4  acres,  after  plants  had  well  started,  three  applications 

of  nitrate  of  soda  were  made  at  intervals  of  about  three  weeks,  and  at  the  rate  of 
f>0  pounds  per  acre,  each  time,  or  Con  pounds  of  nitrate  of  soda  in  all.  This  made  a 
total  of  L}500  pounds  of  nitrogenous  manures,  on  the  i  aores  during  the  season  be- 
sides what  was  contained  in  the  lot  B. 

The  central  and  southern  sections  of  the   held,  being   together  jnsl    about  6  a<  i«-, 

were  divided,  as  per  diagram  <>n  tile  ("A"),  across  the  Held,  east  and  west.  Into  four 
large  half-acre  plots,  (1,2,3  and  25),  andfive  rows  of  eleven  small  plots  each*    This 

Bnbseqnenl  note  ai  to  nitrate  of  soda, 


54 

grand  division  was  then  laid  off  into  twenty-two  stripsor  plots  for  different  fertilizers, 
these  running  from  south  to  north,  i.  e.,  from  southern  boundary  of  field  to  northern 
boundary  of  plot  1  (Early  Orange).  And  these  twenty-two  special-fertilizer  subdi- 
visions were  designated  by  letters  A  to  V  inclusive,  beginuingat  east  end,  or  south- 
east corner  of  field. 

Each  of  these  plots  or  subdivisions  crossing  or  including  several  plots,  was  called 
three-tenths  of  an  acre,  but  more  accurately  contained  .275  of  an  acre.  Fertilizers  were 
applied  to  these  with  grain  drill  run  south  to  north  before  planting,  in  accordance 
with  a  schedule  received  from  your  office  May  3,  1880.  Including  three  of  these  subdi- 
visions (J.,  U.,  and  V.),  on  which  no  fertilizers  were  used,  the  twenty-two  subdivisions 
or  C  acres  received  in  all,  3,096  pounds  of  commercial  manures,  or  about  500  pounds 
per  acre.  All  this  was  applied,  mixed  into  the  soil,  just  before  planting.  No  other 
application  was  made. 

I  regret  to  find  that  in  one  particular  I  failed  to  follow  what  was  a  suggestion  of 
yours  rather  than  an  order.  In  a  postscript  to  one  of  your  letters  last  May,  you 
proposed  that  the  nitrates  should  be  applied  early,  and  the  phosphates  later.  This 
piece  of  letter  was  misplaced  and  lost  sight  of  till  I  gathered  together  all  papers  for 
preparing  this  report.  But  as  the  season  turned  out,  I  think  no  harm  resulted  from 
this  omission.  With  our  continual  rains,  often  verj  heavy,  there  would  have  been 
great  loss  had  the  nitrogenous  manures  been  all  applied  at  once  and  in  advance. 
While  as  the  plants  really  did  not  begin  to  feed  till  July,  it  was  manifestly  inexpe- 
dient to  delay  phosphatic  manuring  to  a  later  period. 

The  most  interesting  and  instructive  of  the  field-notes  relate  to  the  subdivisions  of 
the  long  half-acre  plots,  1,  2,  3,  and  25.  These  were  of  same  variety  of  cane,  same 
planting,  and  subject  to  the  same  conditions  throughout,  on  each  of  these  four  ploas, 
except  the  difference  in  the  fertilizers  applied  across  them,  on  the  twenty-two  sub- 
divisions marked  A  to  V  inclusive.  Although  the  crop  on  these  plots  was.  as  a  whole, 
late,  light,  slow,  and  poor,  for  the  whole  season,  whenever,  on  either  plot,  a  sub- 
division was  reached  having  certain  fertilizers,  there  the  crop  was  good.  For  ex- 
amples: (1)  B,  with  fine  ground  bone,  was  fair  to  poor;  C,  with  muriate  of  potash, 
E,  with  kainite,  and  F,  with  ammonite,  were  poor  all  through;  C  was  very  poor. 
But  D,  between  C  and  E,  receiving  mixture  No.  2  of  ammonite,  fine  bone,  and  kainite, 
was  very  good  all  through  the  season.  (2)  Similarly,  plot  L,  sulphate  ammonia, 
was  very  poor;  M,  sulphate  potash,  was  poor,  and  O,  acid  phosphate,  was  fair  to 
poor.  But  N,  between  M  and  O,  receiving  mixture  No.  l,of  nitrate  soda,  superphos- 
phate, and  muriate  potash,  was  good  all  through.  Q,  with  Mixture  No.  4,  was  good 
to  fair.     These  remarks  apply  only  to  appearance  <>f  growing  crop. 

When  the  time  came  for  sampling  and  sending  samples  to  you  at  the  Department, 
your  instructions  were  carefully  observed,  and  as  every  sample  was  marked,  ami  you 
have  the  record  complete  of  what  you  thus  received,  nothing  farther  on  this  part  of 
the  subject  is  here  introduced.  Shipments  began  September  23,  and  oeased  Octo- 
ber 22. 

For  the  sake  of  carrying  as  far  towards  maturity  as  possible,  nearly  all  the  oane 
not  <ut  in  sampling  was  allowed  to  stand  till  after  several  severe  frosts.  There  was 
not    enough   of  any    one   kind   or   plot   to   gel    acreage    results   and    save   a   sufficient 

quantity  tor  sampling,  unless  a  very  small  fraction  of  an  acre  was  used,  from  which 
to  compote  crop  product.  Such  a  record  was  therefore  attempted  in  only  a  few  cases; 
those  gave  these  results : 


Plo1 

v. 

97 
100 
1 1 2 

117 

Varietj 

Rate  -i 

C  IDI 

|H     1      .H      1. 

20,400 
21,600 

« Iron  <>r  \  mberand  Orange 

55 

The  following  miscellaneous  notes  are  found:  First  planting,  June  18;  first 
plants  above  ground,  June  21. 

First  varieties  to  show  heads  or  tassels,  viz:  August  24,  1889— 

No.  34  (bis.),  Whiting's  Early;  No.  34  (ter.),  Whiting's  Early;  No.  96,  Cross  of 
Orange;  No.  245,  Black-seed  Bi-color;  No.  240,  Red-seed  Bi-color. 

From  a  mass  of  other  notes  on  hand  I  can  find  nothing  which  I  think  will  be  of 
service  to  you. 

But  you  may  discover  omissions,  and  if  you  do,  please  call  further  for  what  you 
want  and  I  will  furnish  it,  if  possible. 

Let  nie  remark  before  closing  that  I  hardly  think  it  will  be  expedient  to  grow  so 
large  an  area  in  sorghum  and  such  a  variety  another  season  under  any  circum- 
stances, but  I  have  carefully  preserved  the  boundaries  of  the  plots  and  should  be 
especially  pleased  to  co-operate  with  you  in  growing  sorghum  again  on  5  or  6  acres 
of  the  specially-fertilized  plots.  The  sugar  question  aside,  I  believe  much  of  interest 
and  value  could  be  derived  from  continuous  cane-growing  on  these  plots  with  special 
feeding.  We  shall  be  prepared  to  join  you  in  such  work  on  most  favorable  terms, 
and  if  the  season  of  1890  approaches  the  normal,  we  are  sure  this  piece  of  land  will  be 
found  specially  adapted  to  sorghum  growing. 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Henry  E.  Alvord. 
Director  Maryland  Agricultural  Experiment  Station. 
Dr.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington. 

RESULTS  ON  MR.  NESBIT'S  FIELD. 
INFLUENCE   OF   FERTILIZERS  ON   SUGAR  CONTENT  AND  TONNAGE. 

The  disastrous  floods  and  continuous  rains  of  the  season  almost  de- 
stroyed tbe  lettered  plots  in  the  Nesbit  field  ;  the  link's  Hybrid  variety 
and  many  plots  of  the  Kansas  and  Early  Orange  being  destroyed.  The 
Early  Amber  was  the  only  variety  that  furnished  a  stand  on  every 
plot. 

The  number  of  days  on  which  rain  fell  (Washington  Station  distant 
8  miles),  and  the  total  precipitation  from  May  1  to  October  !,  as  taken 
from  the  records  of  the  Signal  Olliee,  arc  as  follows:  Number  of  days 
on  which  raiu  fell,  71 ;  total  precipitation,  30. SS  inches. 

Number  of  da  its  on  which  .01  inch  Of  more  of  rain  fell  and  amount  of  rain-fall,  in  h 
from  Mag  1  to  October  l.  inclusive,  1889,  at   Washington  city. 


Kit.-. 

Washington  City. 

mi  m  blob 

01  oi 
■ore  rain 

r.li. 

Total 

ruin  1.  ill. 
5.01 

0.  10 

Ifftj    

Ifl 

14 
18 

IS 

1 

tuber 

<  tatober  l    

Total 

71 

30.88 

56 

The  results  of  the  field  wort,  with  notes  thereon,  are  given  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter  from  Mr.  Nesbit : 

College  Station,  Md.,  November  1,  1889. 

Dear  Sir  :  According  to  contract,  I  prepared  the  ground — five  acres — selected  by 
you  by  plowing,  subsoiling,  harrowing,  and  rolling.  An  extraordinary  amount  of 
work  was  bestowed  on  tbe  land,  with  the  result  of  a  very  fine  condition  of  tilth.  It 
was  my  intention  to  plant  about  the  1st  of  May,  but  heavy  rains  following  in  close 
succession  prevented.     The  planting  was  not  finished  until  the  20th  of  June. 

The  fertilizers  were  carefully  mixed  and  applied  according  to  the  schedule  fur- 
nished by  you,  but  a  heavy  rain  and  a  llood  following  tbe  application  interfered 
with  the  fertilizer  tests  so  far  as  to  make  them  unreliable. 

The  quantities  of  seeds  furnished  of  some  varieties  was  insufficient,  and  some  did 
not  germinate  freely  so  that  the  stand  was  not  perfect  in  all  the  plats. 

The  growing  caue  was  cultivated  as  thoroughly  as  the  rains  would  permit,  and 
within  sixty  days  from  planting  the  more  forward  varieties  showed  many  seed  heads. 

A  storm  with  strong  north  wind  prevailed  September  11,  12,  and  13,  which  beat 
and  broke  much  of  the  cane  in  some  plats,  while  other  plants  suffered  very  little. 

Samples  of  cane  were  shipped  to  you  almost  daily  during  six  weeks  following  Sep- 
tember 10.  The  shipments  included  at  least  two  samples  from  each  plat,  excepting 
No.  207,  and  as  all  were  duly  marked,  I  assume  that  you  have  a  sufficient  record  of 
them. 

The  cane  was  killed  by  frost  on  October  8. 
Very  respectfully, 

D.  M.  Nesbit. 

Dr.  H.  W.  Wiley, 

Chemist,  Department  of  Agriculture. 


EFFECT  OF  DIFFERENT  FERTILIZERS  ON  SUGAR  CONTENT. 

The  season  was  not  only  a  poor  one  for  the  maturation  of  the  cane  but 
also  for  observing  the  effect  of  different  fertilizers  on  the  sugar  content 
of  the  canes.  In  the  case  of  the  Early  Amber  variety  it  is  clearly  seen 
that  only  the  last  analyses  in  October  indicate  a  cane  approaching 
maturity.  For  purposes  of  comparative  study  the  earlier  analyses  are 
valuable  rather  for  determining  the  acceleration  or  retardation  of  the 
growth  than  for  actual  content  of  sugar  shown. 

The  three  highest  percentages  of  sucrose  were  obtained  in  plots  M,  P, 
and  V.  Plot  M  was  fertilized  with  sulphate  of  potash,  I*  with  mixture 
No.  3  (nitrate  of  soda,  phosphate  slag,  kainite,  and  muriate  of  potash), 
and  V  received  no  fertilizer  whatever. 

The  three  lowest  percentages  Of  sugar  were  obtained  in  plots  62(395), 
0    (660),  and    M    (666),     These   plots  were   fertilized  with    kainite  (E), 

muriate  of  potash  ((J),  and  sulphate  of  potash  (M ).  The  earlier  analyses, 
however,  as  before  stated,  are  entirely  unreliable  for  purposes  of  dis- 
criminating between  the  ell'eets  of  fert ilizers. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  thai  the  Increase  in  sucrose,  as  indicated  by 
the  lasf  set  Of  analyses,  has  been  attended  with  very  little  decrease  in 
the   percentage  Of  reducing  sugars,  whereas  with  more  favorable,  season, 


57 

as  is  seen  in  the  results  of  the  Kansas  work,  the  decrease  in  the  percentage 
of  reducing  sugars  is  quite  marked  and  often  at  the  stage  of  full  ma- 
turity. 

Even  had  the  season  been  favorable  it  would  not  be  wise  to  state  any 
positive  results  from  a  single  year's  trial.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  op- 
portunity will  be  given  to  continue  similar  experiments  for  a  number  of 
years  in  succession  in  order  that  definite  conclusions  can  be  reached 
covering  seasons  of  different  climatic  conditions. 

The  seed  planted  was  obtained  from  the  Department  Experiment 
Station  at  Sterling,  Kaus.,  and  the  best  average  samples  of  cane  from 
the  plots  yielding  the  seed  showed  a  content  of  13.70  per  cent,  sucrose. 
(Bulletin  No.  20,  p.  120.) 

In  the  case  of  the  Early  Orange  plots  the  analyses  show  no  appreciable 
progress  in  development  after  the  first  set  of  analyses.  In  fact,  in  many 
cases  the  last  analyses  show  a  lower  sucrose  content  thau  the  first. 
The  results  show  in  a  most  striking  manner  the  disastrous  effects  of  a 
thoroughly  wet  season  and  indicate  that  successful  sugar- making  from 
sorghum  must  be  confined  to  an  area  where  such  seasons  are  of  rare  oc- 
currence or  never  occur  at  all.  The  best  samples  of  canes  from  the  plots 
at  Sterling  in  1888,  from  which  the  seed  was  taken  for  Early  Orange 
plots,  show  the  following  contents  of  sucrose  i1 


Sucrose. 

Eail                     .  <i  from — 

Per  cent. 
12.82 

11.  39 

Louisiana 

12.  90 

CEDAR  FALLS. 


ABSTRACT  OF  THE  REPORT  OF  JOHN  BOZARTH. 

The  crop  of  Early  Amber  was  grown  from  seed  produced  on  the  farm. 
The  seed  which  has  from  time  to  time  been  obtained  from  Kansas  has 
not  proved  satisfactory.  The  planting  began  April  2\)  and  continued 
one  month  ;  100  acres  were  planted  by  Uozarth  Bros,  and  L'oo  acres  by 
neighboring  fanners.  As  tin-  manufacturing  season  approached  it  be- 
came evident  tliat  the  conditions  for  sugar  production  were  not  favor 
able.  The  very  dry  weather  greatly  injured  the  crop,  no  rain  having 
fallen  from  .July  1  Till  August  &  Several  attempts  were  made  to  pro 
dnce  sugar,  but  with  negative  results.  It  was  found  impossible  to  grain 
the  sirup  in  the  pan,  and  on  standing  a  long  time  in  the  hot  room  only 

a  light  crop  of  crystals  was  obtained,    in  all  mo  pounds  of  erode  sugar 

were  made  ;   in  addition  to  this    130   pounds   of  sugar  were  made  from 
sirup  obtained  from    Mr.  Newton.  20  miles  distant. 

Boll.  So.  •'".  p   IS 


58     . 

AkStRACT   OP   THE   REPORT   OF  A.  E.   KNORR. 

On  my  arrival  at  Cedar  Falls,  early  in  September,  it  was  seen  that 
there  was  no  prospect  of  producing  sugar.  Owing  to  the  drought  every- 
thing  was  parched  up.  Only  three  attempts  were  made  at  boiling  the 
sirup  for  sugar.  The  first  run  for  sugar  was  made  on  September  10, 
from  ordinary  field  cane.  The  analyses  of  the  juice  of  this  cane  were 
as  follows : 


Total  solids 

Sucrose 

Glncose 

Purity 


No.   1. 

No.    2. 

Percent. 

14.^7 
6.  68 
6.30 

47.71 

Percent. 

16.27 
7.60 
5.  03 

47.80 

As  might  have  been  expected  from  the  low  purity,  no  granulation 
was  obtained.  On  September  17  another  strike  was  made  on  a  lot  of 
cane  which  had  been  selected  from  a  locality  where  picked  samples  of 
a  very  high  purity  had  been  found.  The  analyses  of  three  samples  of 
mill  juice  from  this  cane  are  as  follows: 


No.l. 

No  2. 

No.  3. 

Total  solids 

Sucrose 

Per  cent. 

16.  29 
9.13 
5.75 

56.  36 

Per  cent. 

15.73 

7.11 

6.49 

45.29 

Percent. 

14.66 

8.35 

5. 10 

56.42 

Purity 

To  attempt  to  make  sugar  from  the  above  material,  of  course,  resulted 
in  failure,  although  a  small  crop  of  crystals  was  obtained. 

The  first  heavy  frost  occurred  on  September  19,  aud  the  works  were 
closed  September  29. 

On  October  3,  Mr.  Knorr,  according  to  instructions,  visited  Ames, 
Iowa,  to  be  present  at  the  experiments  made  with  the  Jennings  process. 
The  cane  used  had  been  partly  frostbitten  and  cut  for  over  a  week. 
The  sirup  obtained  was  very  dark  in  color  and  no  attempt  was  made 
to  produce  sugar  from  it.  In  spite  of  the  bad  results  the  management 
of  the  Iowa  station  is  still  confident  of  securing  good  results  with  the 
Jennings  method.  The  advantage  claimed  for  Mr.  Jennings's  process 
is  that  it  is  a  battery  consisting  of  a  single  cell,  small  capital  is  required 
to  1  mi  Id  it,  and  it  can  be  worked  very  economically. 


RIO  GRANDE. 
ABSTRACT  of  THE  REPORT  OP   H. 


L.  NORTON. 


Mr.  Morton's  report  was  of  a,  very  elaborate  nature  containing,  first, 

a  compilation  of  data  obtained  during  nine  year's  work  at  Bio  Grande; 

second,  an  agricultural  study  of  the  season  of  1889 J  third,  a.  record  of 
the  run  made  with  the  battery  on  October  12,  L889,  and  fourth,  a  brief 
description  of  the  machinery  employed  dming  the  season. 


59 

The  analyses  for  the  season  of  18S9  commenced  on  the  21st  of  Sep- 
tember, with  samples  of  Amber  cane,  which  variety  continued  to  be 
tested  until  the  23d.  The  maximum  percentage  of  sucrose  in  the  juice 
found  during  this  time  was  10.05  and  the  minimum  7.80.  From  Sep- 
tember 23  to  October  9,  tests  were  made  of  the  Kansas  Orange  planted 
on  May  18.  This  proved  to  be  of  very  poor  quality,  the  maximum 
percentage  of  sucrose  being  8.45  and  the  minimum  3.99.  Kansas 
Orange  was  again  tested  from  October  10  to  21  with  better  results  than 
at  first,  the  maximum  percentage  of  sucrose  found  being  9.14  and  the 
minimum  6.76.  The  character  of  the  cane  improved  after  the  21st  of 
October,  several  analyses  being  made  on  that  day,  and  the  maximum 
percentage  of  sucrose  found  iu  the  juice  being  13.23. 

Analyses  of  late  orange  planted  on  the  16th  of  May,  were  commenced 
on  November  7,  and  continued  until  the  13th,  showing  cane  of  average 
poor  quality,  the  maximum  percenage  of  sucrose  in  the  juice  being  10.03 
and  the  minimum  4.29.  The  analyses  were  continued  until  the  16th  of 
November,  but  without  showing  any  improvement  in  the  character  of  the 
cane. 

Analyses  of  twenty-cell  drawings. 
[Run  October  12,1889.] 


Cell 

Temper- 

Hrix ((di- 

Sue rose. 

Cane  in 

No 

ature,  C°. 

rected). 

Cell. 

o 

Percent. 

Pounds. 

1 

21.5 

11.  72 

6.42 

3U7 

2 

20.0 

10.35 

5.  (io 

307 

i 

20.  0 

11.35 

<;.  13 

307 

4 

23.  0 

10.05 

5.41 

3C7 

5 

24.0 

11.81 

6.22 

307 

6 

24.0 

10.79 

5.  64 

807 

7 

22.  0 

11.99 

6.41 

307 

8 

22.  0 

11.10 

5.  93 

307 

9 

24.5 

13.11 

7.  22 

807 

10 

24.5 

12.  81 

6.98 

307 

1 

23.0 

l  3.35 

7.  51 

307 

2 

2:(.0 

12.95 

7.  13 

3<>7 

8 

24.  0 

13.61 

7.65 

307 

4 

23.5 

12.  o:, 

7.  23 

307 

5 

l     35 

307 

e 

7 
8 

307 
307 

307 

20."  (V 

22.  0 

'"Y.ib 

7.  6i> 

9 

20.  0 

13.85 

7.  85 

807 

10 

22.  0 

13.70 

7  65 

Analyses  of  t<  »  eleventh-cell  drawings. 


Cell 

r. imp  i 

:  ■ 

—  1 1  <  i . . — . 

V, 

at  lire.  C ". 

■ 

o 

1 

1 

12  7 

•2 

7.  1- 

3 

12    0 

4 

7.61 

5 

11   1 

e 

14.8 

7 

- 

•jo.  0 

o 

to  it 

14.  a 

- 

in 

20.  0 

60 


Analyses  often  eleventh-etU  drawings — Continued. 


"Milled  chips 

Diffusion  juice 

Exhausted  chips 

Milled  cane 

M.  an  of  milled  cane  and  milled  chips 


Temper-  Brix  (cor-  ««-*«— 
aturTc      •  Sucrose. 


30 


o 

14.2 
14.2 


21 


14  74 

11.  iT 


Percent. 
8.86 
8.10 
1.25 
9.14 
9.00 


The  first  point  to  call  attention  to  on  examining  this  run  is  the  ques- 
tion :  What  is  to  be  taken  as  representing  the  sucrose  number  (luring 
an  experimental  run  !  The  chips  from  shredder  and  the  samples  of  whole 
cane  do  not  give  agreeing  sucrose  numbers. 

The  following  observations  were  made  during  a  run  of  several  hours 
October  2,  1889 : 

(A)  Seventy-six  pounds  of  carefully  hand-stripped  cane  were  milled  ; 
when  one-half  had  been  run  through,  a  sample  of  the  juice  was  analyzed, 
then  the  remaining  half  was  run  through  and  the  two  portions  of  juice 
mixed  and  analyzed. 


Brix. 

Sucrose. 

First  half 

o 

13.3 

13.3 

Per  cent. 
6.38 
7.31 

First  lialf-f- second  half 

(B)  This  sample  consisted  of  two  h  and  fuls*  taken  from  every  basket 
as  packed,  twenty  in  all,  well  milled  and  juice  analyzed. 

Pot  cent 

Brix 12.8 

Sucrose f>. 97 

(C)  This  sample  of  about  200  pounds  represented  1 }  tons  of  cane.  A 
handful  was  taken  from  every  lagging  of  the  carrier  running  from  the 
shredder  while  l.J  tons  were  worked. 

POT  cent. 

Brix   13.0 

Sue  lose (*>.  63 

The  Sampling  and  analyses  show  how  difficult  it  is  (o  obtain  a  sucrose 
number  which  may  be  said  to  represent  the  cane  worked  during  a  run. 

In  the  run  of  October  1L',  the  results  of  the  milled  chips  and  milled 
Cane  are  given. 

Let  us  look  at  the  dilution  from  standpoint  of  total  solids  as  given 
b\    Brix  instrument     The  milled  chips  have  an  average   Brix  of  11.17, 

the  diffusion  juice  a  Bris  of  1 4.2.    How  has  this  been  reached  I 

Two  factors  suggest  themselves  in  the  solution  of  the  question  :   (A) 

Bvaporization  from  surface  of  cells  sufficient  to  make  one  degree  differ- 
ence in  Spindle  reading ;  (P>)  the  high  temperature  dissolving  out   the 

""""■ " 


61 

Rio  Grande,  point  strongly  to  the  fact  that  a  dilution  of  20  per  cent.,  30 
per  cent.,  or  even  40  per  cent.,  as  in  some  cases,  is  not  necessary  to  a 
good  extraction.  This  question  of  dilution  is  one  of  greatest  import- 
ance, for  here  the  cost  of  producing  an  hundred  weight  of  sugar  will 
be  materially  lessened  by  cutting  down  the  water  used. 

I  have  collected  the  following  interesting  data  showing  juices  obtained 
at  different  factories. 


-Deutsche  Zueker-Industrie,  12,  29,  950. 
'Socrerie  Beige,  October  15, 1888,  No.  4. 
"U.S.  Department  Agricultural  Bulletin  21,  p.  30. 


*Zrit.  Rubenzucker-Industrle,  1889,  375. 
:'.\.-w  Jeraej  Agricultural  Kxperimeut 
Station  Bulletin  51,  page  22, 1888. 


In  connection  with  this  season's  work  it  will  be  interesting  to  see 
what  Bio  Grande  experiments  have  already  given,  and  fortius  purpose 
Dr.  XealeV  work  may  be  made  use  of.  His  analytical  results  are  as 
follows : 


Brix. 

Sucrose. 

o 
12.36 
11.83 

6.54 
6.02 
0.  83 

Diffusion  juice  discharged  from 

'  eleventh  ' 

1  eel! 

Dr.  Neale's  extraction  in  one  case  was  89.8  per  cent.;  in  this  case  85 
per  cent.  In  the  experimental  run  of  this  year  (October  12,  1889)  80 
per  cent,  expressed  the  extraction.  In  studying  these  numbers  the 
small  sucrose  per  cent,  must  bear  a  prominent  part.  Had  our  BUCrose 
been  L2  or  L3  per  cent,  our  extraction  would  have  been  between  90  and 
95.    This  must  not  be  forgotten.2 


MACHINERY. 

Battery. — The  battery  this  season  is  a  new  one  and  has  many  im- 
provements over  tlic  one  used  in  L887  and  1888.  In  a  run  from  Sep- 
tember 12  to  November  L2  it  never  <•<  *ased  to  give  satisfaction. 

'  New  Jersey  Agricultural  Experiment  station  Bulletin  51,  page  82,  I — . 

■The  comparison  of  a  specially  controlled  experiment  frith  a  fen  (■••lis  with  the 
mean  working  of  a  batterj   for  a  irhole  season  i^  likely  to  had  to  mistaken  ld< 
efficiency.    Theonly  proper  comparison  would  !><•  betweeu  the  resnlts  obtained  fox 

a  whole  season.    This  note  is  added  to  prevent  anj   misapprehension,  of  iln-  t«-niM 
"  Kio  Grande,  1988,"  ami  "  Kit)  Grande,  i.  w.  w, 


62 

The  battery  is  today  and  has  been  in  past  only  on  an  experimental, 
laboratory  scale,  and  the  work  accomplished  with  it  as  such  has  been 
of  the  very  highest  grade ;  the  run  of  October  12  shows  what  it  did  in 
ordinary  working  and  under  good  supervision  can  repeat  this  record 
eighty  days  out  of  ninety. 

This  battery  was  never  designed  to  supersede  the  German  type.  Its 
inventor  and  others  who  have  studied  it  carefully  can  not  claim  this  for 
it.  It  was  an  attempt  to  manufacture  sugar  with  simplified  machinery 
and  at  a  figure  slightly  higher  than  the  recognized  minimum  working 
with  a  large  plant.  It  seems  to  me  that  this  battery  can  never  com- 
pete with  the  German  type  when  it  is  desirable  to  work  200  tons  per  day, 
for  its  capacity  seems  to  be  that  of  a  70-ton  house,  and  its  usefulness 
in  a  small  house  can  not  be  questioned  ;  but  as  a  factor  in  solving  the 
economic  production  of  an  indigenous  sugar  for  the  United  States  it 
has  little  value. 

Studies  were  instituted  on  the  effect  of  temperature,  dilution,  and 
time  of  contact  of  water  with  fresh  chips,  and  in  all  cases  interesting 
results  were  obtained.  The  work  shows,  as  Turkiewicz  has  already 
shewn  with  beets,  that  the  time  of  contact  is  the  weighty  factor  in  ex- 
traction, and  not  heat  and  quantity  of  water  used. 

The  Eio  Grande  battery  is  all  that  could  be  wished  for  to  carry  out 
the  line  of  investigation  begun  this  summer.  The  heat  was  controlled 
nicely,  the  quantity  of  water  to  within  a  pound,  and  the  contact  by 
dipping  baskets  one  or  more  times. 

The  experiments  were  preliminary  and  necessarily  not  conclusive, 
but  it  is  to  be  hoped  they  may  be  carried  out  in  the  near  future. 

Cleaning  apparatus. — The  shredder  was  the  interesting  machine  in 
the  house,  for,  to  a  certain  extent,  the  extraction  depends  on  the  size  of 
the  chip. 

With  small  chips  only  0.5  to  0.8  per  cent,  sucrose  remained  in  chips, 
with  medium  chips  0*9  to  1.25  per  cent.,  and  with  coarser  chips  as  high 
as  %  I  per  cent.  To  obtain  a  chip  to  allow  of  0.5  to  0.8  per  cent,  remain- 
ing in  bagasse  is  no  easy  matter  $  for  the  shredder  chokes  every  ten 
minutes;  hut  this  end  may  he  seemed  by  running  chips  through  a  sec- 
ond shredder,  in  fact,  this  has  been  suggested1  by  several,  but  not  until 

tli is  year  lias  the  demand  seemed  Imperative,  and  now  double  shredding 
is  (tailed  lor. 


II.  A.  Hughes,  Bull.  20,  36,  L888, 


63 


MORRISVILLE. 
ABSTRACT   OF   THE   REPORT   OF  W.   MAXWELL. 

The  report  begins  with  a  statement  concerning  the  extent  of  the  es- 
tate of  the  Virginia  Diffusion  Sugar  Company,  the  character  of  the 
soil,  the  cultivation  of  the  crop,  notes  on  the  progress  of  the  growth  of 
the  crop,  and  a  description  of  the  factory. 

The  character  of  the  crop  produced  is  given  in  a  series  of  tables  show- 
ing the  number  of  acres  in  each  plot,  the  variety  of  cane  planted,  the 
date  of  planting,  date  of  sampling,  and  the  composition  of  the  juices. 
In  general  the  character  of  the  juice  shows  the  cane  grown  on  the 
plantation  of  the  company  was  poor.  Only  one  sample  of  the  cane 
produced  on  the  company's  plantation  showed  10  per  cent,  of  sugar  in 
the  juice;  this  sample  was  Link's  Hybrid,  planted  May  27,  and  analyzed 
on  October  16. 

The  mean  results  obtained  from  the  different  varieties  are  given  in 
the  following  table : 

Averages  of  varieties. 


No. 


Variety. 


1  Early  Amber 

2  White  African  .. 
Early  Orauge 

!  Late  Orange 

5  Improved  Orange 

6  Link's  Hybrid... 


Acres. 

Brix.° 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

53.0 

12.4 

5.5 

2.4 

43.3 

6.0 

15.  6 

9.3 

2.8 

59.5 

42.5 

14.9 

7.4 

2.2 

49.0 

17.0 

15.4 

8.4 

2.2 

54.4 

28.0 

16.4 

7.9 

3.6 

49.3 

4.5 
151.0 

16.4 

10.1 

4.6 

62.0 

15.1 

8.1 

3.0 

52.  9 

Samples  of  cane  grown  by  neighboring  farmers  showed  uniformly  bet- 
ter results  than  were  obtaiued  on  the  estate  of  the  company.  The  mean 
results  obtaiued  from  the  various  sources  above  mentioned  are  given 
in  the  following  table: 


No. 

Name. 

Variety . 

Soil. 

15rix.° 

• 

Purity. 

1 
2 
I 

4 
5 

<; 

7 
8 
9 
10 

W.  Anderson    

M is.  Edwards  (a). . . 
Mrs. Edwards  (0) . .. 
Mr*,  /.minions 

Early  Amber  . . 

...  do  

Earlj  Oral 

Eailv    An. 
. . .  do 

Snn.lv  l.»ain 

Black  loam 

...  do      

13.4 

Hi.  4 

is.  a 
i6.  a 

17.  1 
16.  7 

11   | 

1 

8.7 
10.  6 

10.4 

12.0 

ii.:. 
11.6 

si 

64 

:•» 
64 

64 

Liyht  gravel 

Sandy  loam 

Red  Bravel 

Liuhi  sand 

...  do 

w  Jones 

R,  Mnnroe  (<o 

K.  Mi ••  (''i  

Mi   1  int.  ml.  1,     ,  . . 

..  do     ., 

...do  

..  do    

....do    

Dark  loan 

Bed  grays] 

A  \  1  : 

16,  l 

Hon.— All  thesfl  plots  wer<  at  i  d< 
Beptember  20  to  ( totober  7. 


daring  the  Aral  week  In  Ma>  and  tneeanes  wore  samples  from 


The  working  of  the  battery  and  apparatus  in  general  was  of  the 
poorest  quality,  the  inference  being  drawn  that  a  well  appointed  mill 

would  have  expressed  the  same  quantity  of  juice  as  was  obtained  by 


64 

the  diffusion  battery.  From  the  agricultural  aud  from  the  milling 
stand-point  the  sugar  season  of  the  Virginia  Diffusion  Sugar  Company's 
plantation  was  not  a  success.  If  a  remunerative  crop  had  been  pro- 
duced the  mill  was  not  in  order  to  work  it,  and  if  the  mill  had  been 
ready  there  was  no  crop  to  be  worked. 

KENNER. 
ABSTRACT  OF  THE   REPORT  OF  DR.  W.   C.  STUBBS. 

Four  plots  of  over  2  acres  each  were  devoted  to  the  culture  of  those 
varieties  of  sorghum  which  past  experience  had  demonstrated  to  be  the 
best  for  sugar-making.  Experiments  were  also  carried  on  at  the  State 
experiment  station  at  Baton  Kouge  and  at  Calhoun  aud  on  the  estate 
of  Mr.  F.  L.  Maxwell  in  Madison  Parish.  The  results  of  the  attempts 
to  make  sugar  in  the  sugar-house  were  rather  disappointing;  although 
considerable  quantities  of  sugar  were  made  it  was  found  almost  impos- 
sible to  dry  it  in  the  centrifugals,  and  the  sugar  obtained  was  generally 
of  a  low  grade.  Full  data  of  the  sugar-house  work  are  given  ;  also  of 
the  analyses  of  the  samples  grown  at  the  various  experiment  stations. 

The  result  of  the  work  is  summed  up  in  the  following  review  of  re- 
sults: 

REVIEW   OF    RESULTS. 

The  sorghum  grown  at  Kenner  was  of  an  inferior  character ;  that 
grown  at  each  of  the  other  stations  and  at  Mr.  Maxwell's  very  hue. 

The  soils  of  each  of  these  places  vary  greatly.  At  Kenner  the  soil  is 
a  black,  heavy,  tenacious  clay,  hard  to  cultivate  and  harder  still  to 
drain,  susceptible  of  injury  from  extreme  drought  or  excessive  rainfall. 
Small  seed  if  not  too  deeply  planted  germinate  quickly  in  it.  At  Baton 
Kouge  the  brown  loam  of  the  bluff  formation  prevails;  a  soil  which 
withstands  drought  well,  but  can  not  endure  excessive  rain-fall.  Small 
seed  are  with  difficulty  germinated,  due  to  the  soil  puddling  and  form- 
ing an  impervious  crust  after  every  shower.  It  works  with  ease,  but 
it  is  difficult  to  drain.  At  Calhoun  there  exist  the  sandy  and  loamy 
tertiary  soils, easily  worked  and  drained;  a  soil  whose  physical  proper- 
ties are  good  and  which  needs  only  proper  fertilization  to  make  excel- 
lent crops  in  propitious  seasons. 

At  Mr.  Maxwell's  we  have  the  typical  alluvial  soil  of  the  upper  Mis- 
sissippi bottoms;  a  sandy  soil  easily  worked  and  drained  and  of  great 
fertility.     These  four  soils  well  represent  all  the  soils  of  the  State, save 

the  red  lands  of  Bed  River  bottoms  and  the  Light  prairie  fields  of  south- 
western Louisiana. 

The  season  at  each  of  these  places  varied  greatly  (luring  the  period 
of  the  growth  of  sorghum.  At  Kenner  a  prolonged  drought  following  a 
heavy  rainfall  of  April  13  greatly  injured  the  sorghum,  making  it  small 

aud  spiudling,    Wheu  the  rains  began  on  last  of  June  it  produced 


65 

suckers,  greatly  to  the  detriment  of  the  cane.  The  cane-borer  also  at- 
tacked the  sorghum  at  Kenner  and  did  it  considerable  damage. 

The  same  drought  prevailed  at  Baton  Kouge,  but  the  seed  planted 
in  April  did  not  germinate  till  June,  and  hence  the  young  plants  were 
not  stunted  as  at  Kenner.    Xo  worms  or  suckers  interfered. 

At  Calhoun  most  propitious  seasons  prevailed  and  the  canes  were 
fair  in  quantity  and  quality. 

At  Mr.  Maxwell's  fine  seasons  prevailed  in  the  early  growth  of  the 
cane,  but  near  maturity  a  prolonged  drought  was  encountered  which 
doubtless  injured  the  cane. 

In  reviewing  the  agricultural  results,  it  may  safely  be  asserted  that  dry 
well-drained  loamy  soils  are  best  adapted  for  sorghum,  and  that  showers 
at  regular  intervals  favor  a  large  sugar  content  as  well  as  tonnage. 
Neither  droughts  nor  excessive  rain-falls  are  favorable  to  a  full  develop- 
ment of  this  plant. 

Another  feature  worth y  of  note :  Only  certain  varieties  of  sorghum 
have  given  good  results  anywhere.  Link's  hybrid,  originated  by  Mr. 
Ephraim  Link,  of  Greenville,  Tenn.,  seems  to  have  succeeded  best  on 
a  large  scale  than  any  other  variety.  Of  the  100  varieties  tested 
this  year  for  the  first  time  only  a  very  few  are  worthy  of  further  trial. 

The  sugar-house  results  were  disappointing.  In  every  instance  diffi- 
culty was  experienced  in  graining  in  the  pan.  Only  by  the  addition  of 
crystallized  sugar,  or  by  the  withdrawal  for  some  time  of  heat,  could 
graining  be  started.  Even  at  a  temperature  of  120°  Fahr.,  with  a 
vacuum  of  26  to  28  inches,  no  grain  could  be  formed.  Does  our  sorghum 
contain  more  dextriue  and  soluble  starches  than  that  raised  in  Kansas, 
or  did  we  diffuse  at  too  high  a  temperature  ?  Our  records  show  tem- 
peratures ranging  from  40°  to  80°  C.  in  our  discharging-tanks,  and  ytt 
no  perceptible  difference  in  the  sirups.  Samples  of  all  the  molasses 
have  been  kept  to  further  study  their  compositions. 

Our  greatest  difficulty  was  in  purging  our  massecuite,  a  great  surprise 
to  all.  After  running  the  centrifugal  sometime  it  was  found  on  exam- 
ination that  a  layer  of  sugar  adhered  to  tin-  sieve,  upon  which  rested  a 
layer  of  molasses,  and  this  in  turn  was  covered  by  a  layer  of  white  foam, 
giving  the  appearance  while  the  centrifugal  was  in  motion  of  a  beau- 
tiful white  sugar.  After  Stopping  tin'  Centrifugal  these  layers  had  to  be 
broken  down  and  mixed  with  a  little  water  and  centrifngalled.  In  this 
way  a  good  sugar  was  obtained,  but  only  at  the  expense  of  time,  pa- 
tience, and  considerable  loss  of  sugar. 

CONWAY  SPRINGS. 

ABSTRACT  OJ  REPOB1   O]    E.  A.  v.  BOB WK1N1TZ.       - 

The  machine!  y  wa~  not  tested  until  Ungual  25,  although  this  might 

have  been  done  neveral  week*  before  ;  but,  for  some  inexplicable  reason, 

the  work  was  allowed  t«>  drag,  with, of  eonrse, detriment  to  the  business. 

A  difficulty  was  met  with  at  the  beginning  which  it  took  several  days' 

17597— Bull,  20 D 


66 

time  to  remedy.  Tlie  drag  which  furnished  the  cane  to  -the  large  cutter 
was  not  properly  placed,  and  the  knives  of  the  cutter  were  too  broad, 
causing  the  cane  to  be  forced  back  at  each  stroke.  It  was  necessary, 
therefore,  to  attach  a  forced  feed  to  the  cutter.  This  delay  was  unfortu- 
nate, and  caused  considerable  dissatisfaction. 

Last  year  the  mill  depended  for  its  water  supply  upon  a  deep  well 
which  was  by  no  means  sufficient.  In  addition,  the  well  puinps  gave  a 
great  deal  of  trouble  and  caused  considerable  loss  of  time.  Through 
some  unpardonable  oversight  this  defective  piece  of  machinery  had 
never  been  touched  since  last  season,  and  work  had  scarcely  been  started 
before  the  troubles  of  last  year  were  repeated.  With  the  enlarged  ca- 
pacity of  the  house  the  pipe  line  to  the  creek  did  not  give  sufficient 
water,  and  it  was  necessary  to  rely  upon  the  well  for  water  for  condens- 
ing purposes.  Instead  of  remedying  this  delect  at  once  several  weeks' 
time  were  wasted,  the  work  in  the  mean  time  lagging,  as  it  was  neces- 
sary to  run  first  one  part  of  the  house  and  then  wait  till  the  other  had 
caught  up.  Finally,  a  pond  was  made  near  the  mill,  and  the  waste 
water  collected  and  used  over  again  for  condensing  purposes. 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  company  to  clarify  the  juice  by  adding 
lime,  and  allowing  the  limed  juice  to  be  brought  to  a  boil  in  a  continu- 
ous flow  skimming-pan.  The  pan  provided  tor  this  purpose  was  de- 
ficient in  capacity,  and  only  a  very  poor  defection  was  obtained.  The 
company  was  very  iortunate,  therefore,  in  securing  from  the  Douglas 
Sugar  Woiks  the  loan  of  five  elarifiers,  as  well  as  several  pumps,  and 
forty  sugar  wagons.  Delay  resulted  in  placing  these,  but  without  them* 
little  woik  could  have  been  accomplished.  Contrary  again  to  better 
advice,  I  understand  the  engine  relied  upon  for  working  the  centri- 
fugals was  insufficient,  and  the  house  had  to  be  shut  down  until  a  new 
engine  could  be  purchased  and  placed. 

All  of  these  delays  were  caused  by  defects  patent  from  the  beginning, 
and  which  past  experience  should  have  induced  the  company  to  pro- 
vide against.  The  greater  portion  of  the  month  of  September  was  con- 
sumed in  this  way,  and  only  about  1,500  tons  of  cane  cut,  which  should 
be  only  a  week's  work.  Very  valuable  time  was  thus  lost,  at  great  ex- 
pense. 

These  troubles  seemed  to  have  induced  a  sort  of  demoralization  gen- 
erally,  and  while,  <luiing  the  month  of  October,  work  was  somewhat, 
more  Steady,  there  were  many  delays  caused  by  broken  drags,  elevators; 
and  pumps;  many  accidents,  the  result  of  gross  carelessness,  others, 
perhaps  unavoidable. 

The  double,  effect  Caused  some  delays  by  the  tubes  becoming  coated 
with  scales,  necessitating  the  removal  of  the  heads  o|  the  pans  and  the 
Scraping  of  the  tubes.  In  the  hands  of  an  intelligent  workman  the 
loosening  of  this  scale,  with  a  strong  solution  of  eaiKi.ic  soda,  ami  its  sub- 
sequent removal  by  washing  the  tube*,  with  dihV\o  acid,  sj^oj$)d  have 
becu  autlicieut. 


67 

The  exhausted  chips  were  removed  from  the  batteries  by  means  of 
carts  and  dumped  on  the  adjacent  prairie.  This  is  certainly  a  very  sure 
way  of  disposing  of  a  troublesome  by-product,  but  a  rather  expensive 
one.  Four  two-horse  carts,  with  drivers,  and  six  additional  men,  were  em- 
ployed for  this  work  per  twenty-four  hours,  at  an  expense  of  about  $19. 
The  work  should  have  been  done  with  three  or  four  men  less,  but  even  then 
the  method  is  too  expensive.  The  chips  furnished  by  the  shedders 
the  early  part  of  the  season  were  very  fine,  and  in  excellent  condition  for 
diffusion.  Later,  the  knives  became  badly  gapped  from  bolts  and  pieces 
of  iron  which  found  their  way  to  the  shredders,  and  little  attention  was 
paid  to  grinding  and  setting  the  knives  properly.  Hence,  with  a  very 
large  dilution,  only  a  moderate  extraction  was  secured.  The  new  bat- 
tery gave  better  results  than  the  old.  This  was  due  partly  to  the  shape 
of  the  cells  of  the  new  battery,  narrowing  toward  the  top,  with  small  top 
door,  but  chiefly  to  the  larger  juice  pipes,  a  better  circulation  being 
thereby  secured.  A  number  of  the  yokes  to  the  top  doors  of  the  cells 
were  broken,  causing  some  delay.  This  was  due  to  a  fault  in  the  cast- 
ing. The  only  advantage  gained  by  having  the  two  batteries  was  that 
work  coiild  be  continued  with  the  one  when  the  other  was  stopped.  It 
would  be  far  better  to  have  a  battery  with  an  extra  pipe  line,  which 
would  permit  of  any  cell  being  cut  out  ot  the  circuit  when  necessary. 
A  saving  of  labor,  fuel,  and  water  is  thereby  secured,  as  well  as  a  pro- 
portionately smaller  dilution,  and  just  as  much  work  could  be  accom- 
plished. 

To  sum  up  in  general,  we  may  say  that  the  heavy  machinery  was 
entirely  adequate  and  suitable  for  the  work,  and  that  the  delays  and 
troubles  should  not  be  charged  to  this,  but  rather  to  carelessness  and 
inexperience. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  season  but  little  inversion  of  sucrose  was 
noted  in  the  battery.  Later,  this  increased,  and  it  was  deemed  advisable 
to  add  sufficient  lime  to  the  chips  in  the  battery  to  correct  this.  Skim- 
mings and  settlings  were  returned  to  the  battery.  The  juice  was  limed 
to  neutrality,  or  as  nearly  so  as  possible,  and  a  good  clarification  se- 
cured ;  still,  some  inversion  was  noted  between  the  clarified  juices  and 
semi-SirupB.  This  was  due  chiefly  to  the  maimer  in  which  the  juice 
was  handled,  as  for  a  long  time  the  management  pursued  a  method  of 
allowing  the  juice  to  stand  and  "settle"  before  evaporation.  This  was 
in  every   respect    a  suicidal   policy,  as  the    juice  became  cold  and  sour, 

and  just  so  much  additional  fuel  was  accessary  to  evaporate  it,  not  to 
mention  the  resulting  inversion.  After  this  practice  had  been  aban- 
doned, on  such  days  as  I  was  able  to  see  that  a  .strictly  neutral  clarifi- 
cation was  secured,  no  inversion  was  noted  in  the  double  effect  Varyan. 

The  diffusion  juices  showed  the  presence  of  large  amounts  <>i  Btarchv 
substances  winch  should  be  removed  by  some  method  of  clarification. 

The  purity  of  the  sirups  was  fair  and  the  simps  were  grained  w  it  bout 
trouble  iu  the  vacuum-pan,    The  sugar  was  boded  to  r  wj  Joe  jrajui 


68 

This  fact,  as  well  as  the  inexperience  of  the  workmen,  and  the  little  at- 
tention paid  to  keeping  the  hot  room  at  a  proper  temperature,  caused 
the  work  with  the  centrifugals  to  be  slow.  The  sugar  also  was  heavily 
washed,  and  a  great  deal  of  the  fine  grain  found  its  way  through  the 
screens  of  the  centrifugals.  This  accounts  for  the  richness  of  the  first 
molasses,  as  well  as  the  rather  small  yield  in  first  sugars.  A  screw  con- 
veyor and  elevator  buckets  should  have  been  provided  to  remove  the 
sugar  from  the  centrifugals  to  the  sugar  room,  instead  of  the  boxes  used, 
which  necessitated  a  large  amount  of  hand  labor  and  waste.  In  several 
other  instances  expensive  hand  labor  was  relied  upon,  where  an  extra 
wheel  or  belt  would  have  answered  the  purpose.  One  great  source  of 
loss  was  due  to  the  leaks  in  the  joints  of  the  main  steam-line,  and  to  the 
fact  that  the  steam-pipes  were  not  wrapped.  The  exhaust  steam  also 
was  not  utilized  to  the  extent  that  it  might  have  been. 

The  majority  of  the  workmen  were  inexperienced,  and  did  not  appre- 
ciate the  importance  of  their  particular  tasks.  There  was  a  very  evi- 
dent lack  of  harmony  between  men  and  managers,  and  not  the  firm 
control  and  system  which  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  success  of  any 
business,  especially  where  the  season  is  a  short  one,  as  is  the  case  with 
sorghum  sugar. 

The  Orange  cane  was  at  its  best,  as  last  year,  about  the  middle  of  Oc- 
tober, after  a  light  frost  sufficient  to  kill  the  leaves.  The  richness  of 
the  cane  last  year  was  attributed  partly  to  the  dryness  of  the  season. 
This  season  was  one  of  the  largest  rain-fall  known  in  Kansas,  and  yet 
the  average  per  cent,  of  sucrose  was  11.98  per  cent,  and  glucose  1.78 
per  cent.,  and  Brix  18. 33  per  cent. ;  while  for  1888,  the  average  Brix 
was  19.30  per  cent.,  sucrose  12.42  per  cent.,  and  glucose  2.G1 ;  or  a  glu- 
cose ratio  of  1  :  0.73  in  1889,  against  a  ratio  of  1  :  4.76  sucrose  in  L888. 

This  is  very  interesting  and  important,  especially  when  the  almost 
exactly  opposite  character  of  the  two  seasons  is  considered.  The  seed 
from  last  year's  crop  had  been  carefully  hand-picked  and  thrashed  from 
the  richest  plots  of  last  year,  and  from  this  source  .Medicine  Lodge  and 
Attica  works  obtained  most  of  their  seed.  For  this  reason,  we  insert 
here  for  purposes  of  comparison  means  of  Tables  I  and  II  from  last 
year's  report  (Bulletin  20,  pp.  83  and  $5): 


m<  am. 

Bolide 
(Brix). 

Baorose 

i  tlaeoee 

Parity. 

Table  I  

Table  n 

I',  ;'  .-,  „/ 

l«.8o 

10,  30 

12.  li 

u.  a 

Pi  /  a  nt 
2.  85 
2.61 

03.84 

Table  I.— J  oioee  from  tingle  oonee. 

Table  [L— Jutoee  from  obipe  entering  battery. 

In  this  Connection  it    ig  especially  Interesting  to  note   the  results  ob- 
tained from  Amber  cane.    The  seed  was  selected  from  a  plot  which  last 

year  showed  a  Jinx  per  cent,  of  18,81,  sucrose  14,0(J,  and  glucose  1,2G, 


69 

Very  matured  Amber  grown  upon  sod  land  from  this  seed  showed  Brix 
17.93  and  sucrose  13.10;  and  upon  plowed  land  Brix  18.28,  sucrose 
13.20  per  cent.,  and  glucose  1.29  per  cent.  In  all  cases  there  was  a 
decrease  in  total  solids  as  compared  with  last  year  and  there  was  a  cor- 
responding increase  in  the  purity  of  the  juices.  We  noted  again  this 
year,  as  well  as  last,  that  while  the  Amber  cane  deteriorated  rapidly  if 
left  lying  any  length  of  time  after  being  cut,  the  Orange  after  it  had  at- 
tained its  maximum  was  fairly  stable.  Again,  several  hard  freezes  and 
thaws  did  not  materially  injure  the  cane,  as  can  be  seen  from  analyses 
a,  b,  0,  d,  and  e,  Table  I. 

The  factory  was  forced  to  stop  cuttiug,for  reasons  which  will  be  men- 
tioned later  on,  the  8th  of  November.  About  GOO  acres  of  cane  of 
excellent  quality  were  left  standing  in  the  field,  so  that  on  this  score 
the  mill  might  have  run  until  the  1st  of  January,  as  from  reports  T 
have  learned  that  the  weather  has  been  excellent  in  every  way.  About 
November  4  there  was  a  light  fall  of  snow,  but  as  already  mentioned 
without  danger  to  the  cane. 

A  number  of  varieties  of  seed  were  sent  out  by  the  Department  to  be 
planted  for  experimental  plots.  The  ground  upon  which  it  was  planted 
was  a  very  wet  piece  of  sod  land,  consequently  a  great  deal  of  the  seed 
did  not  mature,  and  as  the  plots  had  not  been  properly  separated  or 
attended  to,  it  was  deemed  best  to  condemn  the  whole. 

The  total  number  of  day's  actual  work,countiug  each  day  at  twenty- 
two  hours,  was  forty-five ;  that  is,  the  work  should  have  been  done  in 
that  length  of  time  if  the  mill  had  run  fairly  smoothly. 

The  expense  for  labor  and  coal  was  enormous,  and  might  have  been 
greatly  reduced  with  proper  care.  In  summing  up  the  results,  then,  of 
this  season's  work,  it  is  but  fair  to  mention  that  the  expense  lor  labor 
and  coal  would  scarcely  have  been  a  cent  more  if  the  mill  had  run 
steadily  and  done  four  times  the  work  than  it  was  with  but  little  work. 

In  a  trial  run,  beginning  on  the  2Gth  of  October  and  continuing  until 
the  2d  of  November,  the  following  data  were  obtained  : 


Sample 
No. 

Brix  (<<>r- 

lifted) 

at  it  .:. 

c. 

BaoroM 

Qlaoote. 

/'.  /• .-,  ,it 
i.i:t 

.7* 

Parity. 

7o  22 

• 

<  rlllOOM  !•> 

loo  p 

824 

iia 

10.00 
2  18 

10.  M 

ii  M 
89.81 

IS.  in 

1 

12.81 

l.Ol 

7.  i:t 
82.  :t7 

i-   t 
53.  id 

Mill  juicit  imm  exhausted  ohipa  — 

- 
12  M 

:'l  12 

:>i  II 

From  lii  -t  molasst  ^  of  ti  ial  inn. 


The  mean  percentage  of  fiber,  as  determined  in  the  ohipe,  during  the 
season  was  11.49.    Twenty-four  determinations  were  made,  extending 


70 

over  the  entire  season,  from  September  5  to  November  7.  From  August 
29  to  October  3,  twenty-six  analyses  of  caue  chips,  representing  the 
mean  composition  of  the  chips  entering  both  batteries,  were  made. 
The  mean  results  obtained  were  as  follows  : 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

Per  cent. 
18.10 
21.07 
16.86 

Per  cent. 
11.38 
12.  98 
8.97 

Per  cent. 

2.20 

4.02 

.91 

62.92 

Bigheat 

Separate  analyses  were  made  of  the  chips  entering  the  two  batteries 
after  August  4,  with  the  following  results  (the  results  of  eighteen  an- 
alyses, representing  the  material  entering  the  old  battery  from  August 
4  to  November  8) : 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Purity: 

Per  cent. 
18  58 
20.40 
16.23 

Per  cent. 

12.  27 

H.60 

9.00 

Per  cent. 
1.38 
3.15 

.54 

66.29 

Highest 

In  the  new  battery  during  the  same  period  seventeen  samples  were 
analyzed,  with  the  following  results  : 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

I'nrity. 

Per  cent. 
18.  :j6 

Per  cent. 
I2.2A 

Per  cent. 

1.52 
If.  65 
.90 

66.89 

20. 4o           13.85 
15.  98 

The  means  for  the  whole  season  of  nil  the  analyses  made  of  the  fresh 
chips  are  as  follows  : 

Per  riiit. 

Total   solids 18.33 

Sucrose 11.68 

Glucose 1.70 

The  data  obtained  in  the  analyses  of  the  diffusion  .juices  from  the  old 
battery  from  Angus!  29  to  November  li,  including  38  analyses,  are  as 

follows  : 


Total 

noIhIs. 

Sucrose, 

( ilucose, 

Purity. 

/•-  r  '•<  hi 
0  -i 

8.27 

• 

5.  00 

1 

1.04 
I  B7 
.  59 

7:1.  86 

be«(  

71 


For  the  new  battery  the  data  follow, 
made  from  August  28  to  November  8. 


Thirty-eight  analyses  were 


3£ ,  ■—» 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

Per  cent. 

9.  90 

12.00 

8.38 

Per  cent. 
6.50 

8.  -JO 
5.25 

Per  cent. 

1.03 

2.38 

.52 

65.  06 
75.  26 
51.02 

The  analyses  of  waste  chips  from  the  old  battery  for  the  entire  season 
gave  the  following  data.     Total  number  of  analyses  made,  54. 


Total 
sulids. 

Sucrose. 

Means 

Per  cent. 
2  27 
5.  8S 

1.13 

2.40 

Lowest 

1.11 

.25 

In  the  new  battery  the  numbers  follow.     Xumber  of  analyses,  63. 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Means 

Highest 

Percent. 
2.16 

Per  cent. 
.*9 
1.9ft 

1.02 

Analyses  of  the  clarified  juices  for  the  entire  season  from  both  batter- 
ies gave  the  following  data.     Number  of  analyses,  47. 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

10.25 
12.28 

8.74 

0  00 

8  20 
5.00 

1.0.1 

2.  07 
.45 

Highest  

Lowest. 

Analyses  of  the  sirups  for  the  entire  season  gave  the  following  data, 
Total  number  of  analyses,  15. 


Parity. 

MlMIIH        

Highest 

Lowest  

4»    10 

M  ii 

72 

Analyses  of  the  first  massecuites  for  the  entire  season  gave  the  fol- 
lowing data.    Total  number  of  analyses,  19. 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Per  cent. 
90.27 
93.34 
84.68 

Per  cent. 
57.86 
66.60 
50.20 

Percent. 
12.23 
23.  92 
8  38 

Highest 

The  analyses  made  of  first  and  second  sugars  follow 

POLARIZATION  OF  FIRST  SUGARS. 


Date. 

Sucrose. 

Per  cent. 

Sept.  23 

95.8 

Sept.  23 

97.6 

Oct.      7 

97.0 

Oct.      7 

97.0 

Oct.      7 

94.0 

Oct.    22 

91.4 

Oct.    22 

96.0 

Oct.    29 

96.8 

Nov.     4 

96.8 

Nov.  11 

95.2 

POLARIZATION  OF   SECOND  SUGARS. 


Date. 

Sucrose. 

Nov.  11 
Nov.  11 
Nov.  15 

Per  cent. 
'91.6 
'94.4 
'88.0 

]Raw  sugar.         '"Washed  sugar. 


ATTICA. 
ABSTRACT   OF   REPORT   OF  OMA   CARR. 

On  the  opening  of  the  manufacturing  season,  on  the  26th  of  Septem- 
ber, there  was  not  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Early  Amber  cane  ripe,  and 
so  Orange  cane  which  was  not  mature  was  used  from  the  8th  to  the  20th 
pf  September.  The  quality  of  the  cant'  worked  continued  to  improve 
until  late  in  the  season.  In  regard  to  the  character  of  the  crop  for  the 
successful  manufacture  Of  sugar  the  season  may  be  said  to  have  ex- 
tended only  from  September  25  to  November  f>.  After  November  5 
the  cane  Buffered  rapid  deterioration,  rendering  it  extremely  difficult  to 
work  it  in  the  battery  without  serious  loss  by  inversion.  Freezing 
weather  first  occurred  on  the  .'id  of  November,  and  this  being  followed 
by  warm  weather  caused  fermentation.  The  cane  which  bad  been 
planted  on  freshly  tinned  sod  suffered  the  least  from  the  freeze  and 
showed  but  little  fermentation  before  the  10th  of  November. 


73 

a 

In  recapitulation  it  may  be  said  that  until  September  25  the  cane  was 
in  poor  condition,  that  the  indiscriminate  mixing  of  Amber  and  Orange 
cane,  which  became  unavoidable,  was  very  unsatisfactory  and  that  all 
the  results  obtained  before  the  25th  of  September  were  of  little  value 
except  for  the  testing  of  the  machinery. 

SOURCES   OF   LOSS. 

From  the  cutter  and  the  centrifugal  there  were  many  opportunities  for 
serious  loss;  fully  35  per  cent,  of  the  cane  purchased  was  carried  away 
in  the  cutters  and  cleaners.  The  loss  in  the  battery  by  poor  extraction 
and  inversion  was  13.6  per  cent,  of  the  entire  sugar  contained  in  the  cane. 
In  the  remaining  portion  of  the  work  the  loss  of  sugar  amounted  to 
10.9  per  cent,  of  the  whole  sugar  contained  in  the  cane.  The  aggregate 
loss  amounted  to  nearly  25  per  cent,  of  the  entire  sugar  in  the  crop. 
This  immense  loss  is  directly  chargeable  to  defective  machinery  and 
largely  due  to  delays  in  the  working  of  the  house.  This  is  illustrated 
by  the  fact  that  during  the  season  of  78  days  7,239  tons  of  cane  passed 
the  house,  or  92.7  tons  per  day. 

The  financial  failure  of  the  factory  must  be  ascribed  directly  to  in- 
efficient machinery;  had  the  factory  worked  regularly  from  the  2Gth 
of  August  the  receivership  of  the  19th  of  October  would  pot  have 
taken  place.  The  numerous  experiments  conducted  at  Attica  resulted, 
in  general,  successfully.  The  use  of  filter  presses  is  to  be  highly  com- 
mended. The  apparatus  for  drying  the  sugar  was  also  successfully 
worked.  The  attempt  to  burn  the  exhausted  cbips  failed  because  of 
the  crude,  expensive,  and  inefficient  apparatus  employed  in  drying 
them. 

The  efficient  services  of  Messrs.  Watson  and  Detuing  did  much  to 
prevent  the  earlier  dissolution  of  the  company. 

Summary  of  results  of  chemical  control. 

Cane  purchased tons..  .'.  00 

Cane,  diffused,  clean do...  4,70 

Loss  in  cutting  per  cent .-  :!■">.  1" 

Loss  in  cuttiug tons.. 

Loss  in  cutting pounds..     5,  078,  400,  00 

Juice  in  clean  cane tons..  4,166.70 

Juice  in  clean  cane pounds.       3,33     100,  0»> 

Juice  in  clean  cane gallons..  11, 0 

Average  per  cent,  juice,  clean  cane 88J 

Sngar  in  cane pounds..         975,841.00 

Glucose  in  cane  do 133,  8S 

Sugar  available  (approximate) do 

Bngar  presenl  pex  ton,  (Iran  oane .do  — 

Sugar  present  per  tou,  field  cane do 


74 

Losses. 


At  battery — 

Losses. 

Clean  cane 
per  ton. 

Field  cane. 

Whole 
sngar. 

Pmi  mis. 

105,  156 

14,  341 

60,000 

35,  377 

Pounds. 
22.3 

3.0 
12.7 

7.5 

Pounds. 

14.5 

1.9 

8  2 

4.8 

Per  cent. 

12.00 

1.63 

6.85 

4.04 

At  double  effort  (total) 

Battery  to  double  effect  (total) 

Totals 

214,  876 

29.4 

24.52 

Yield. 

Sugar  obtained  (firsts) pounds. 

Sugar  iu  cane per  cent. 

Sugar  in  diffusion,  juice do... 

Sugar  in  semi-sirup do... 

Sugar  obtained  (firsts) 

Sugar  obtained  in  semi-sirup 

Sugar  left  in  molasses 

Glucose  left  in  molasses  (estimated) 

Available  sugar  in  molasses  (estimated) 

Total  product  first  sugar,  plus  estimated  seconds  available pounds. 

Yield  per  ton,  field  cane,  firsts 

Yield  per  ton,  clean  cane,  firsts pounds. 

Yield  per  ton,  field  cane  (estimated)  seconds do... 

Yield  per  ton,  clean  cane  (estimated)  seconds do... 

Yield  per  ton,  field  cane,  total  product 

Yield  per  ton,  clean  cane,  total  product 


Financial. 


•Cost  of  cane  (7,184  tons)  . 
•Cost  of  labor  (sixty  days) 
Cost  of  fuel 


262, 038 

29.91 

34.64 

39.  64 

262, 038 

660, 965 

398, 927 

128, 539 

206, 127 

468, 165 

36.5 

55.7 

28.6 

43.8 

65.1 

99.5 


$10,653.40 
9, 857.  58 
2,791.32 


Total  expense  of  operation,  August  24  to  November  12 23, 302.  30 


Fuel,  cost  per  ton,  cane  .. 
Labor,  cost  per  ton,  cane. 
Cane,  cost  per  ton 


Total  cost  per  ton,  cane 


Fuel,  cost  per  100  pounds,  sugar. 

L;iix»i,  cost  per  100  pounds,  sugar. 
Cane,  cost  per  100  pounds,  sugar 


Total  expense  per  100  pounds  BO  gar. 


.38 
1.48 
1.38 


3.24 


1.06 
3.37 
4.06 


a  49 


rCoal  per  100  pounds  sugar pounds..  905 

Average  labor  per  day  (sixty  days) $140.  28 

Loss  of  time  i>y  delayi  In  manufacture,  season  of  fcwenty-eighl  days,  pes 

cent 18.20 


75 

Mean  results  of  analyses. 
[In  the  juice.] 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose.    Glucose. 

worked.       caue- 

Glucose 
in  cane. 

Fresh  chips  entering  battery — 
From  August  to  September 

Per  cent. 
15.96 
17.  72 
17.41 

Percent.    Percent. 

9  95            2. 29 

12.69            1.51 

Tons.        Pounds. 

2,197.2        321.942 

1.911         42H   ftVl 

Founds. 
75,  H50 

43.  972 
13,  804 

12.13  i          1. 36  1        RBI- 

KECAPTTULATIOX  FOR  TUE  SEASOX. 

Total  tons  clean  cane  worked  for  season 4,  702.8 

Average  per  centage  of  j  nice  in  cane 88.  6 

Total  Bugar  in  cane pounds..  875,  8 IL 

Total  glucose  in  cane do 133,626 

Total  available  sugar  (approximate) do 675,  402 

3ugar  per  ton  of  clean  cane  (means) do  ...      186.  2 

Sucrose  in  exhausted  chips  for  the  different  periods  of  the  season. 

Percent. 

August  and  September 63 

October 1.57 

November 1.46 

The  season 1.46 

Sugar  inverted  in  the  battery  for  the  different  periods  of  the  season  and  for  the  entire  time. 

Per  cent. 

August  and  September 30 

October 14 

November ; 20 

The  season 21 


Composition  of  the  diffusion  juices  for  Jhe  dlffen  ni  petto  U  of  the  season. 


Total      o— *«-.«.«. 
solid..      Sucrose. 

a  agaal  and  September 

12  05 

• 
7.  80 

1    91 

i  ia 

November 

1.07 

Composition  of  iirupt. 


Total 

Sucrose. 

\u_'iiMt  and  s  )>t,  ml  ■ 

October  

November 

1 

1 

76 

Mean  composition  of  the  massecuites  for  the  season. 

Per  cent. 

Total  solids 94.90 

Sucrose 61.74 

Glucose 12.16 

First  sugars,  mean  composition  for  the  season. 

Per  cent. 

Sucrose : 98.29 

Glucose 83 

Molasses,  means  for  the  season. 

Per  cent. 

Total  solids 85.31 

Sucrose 39.42 

Glucose 18.28 

RESULTS  OF  CULTURE  EXPERIMENTS. 

Early  Amber.— Planted  on  the  2d,  6th,  7th,  and  16th  of  May.  The 
highest  per  cents,  of  sucrose  from  this  plot  was  12.45,  12.00,  12.80,  and 
12.95,  respectively,  and  the  apparent  time  of  maturing  123  days. 

Chinese  Cane. — The  highest  sucrose  obtained  was  14.90  per  cent,  on 
October  14 ;  on  November  7  the  sucrose  was  still  13.70  per  cent. ;  the 
apparent  time  for  maturing  156  to  163  days. 

Kansas  Orange. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  was  15.35  per  cent,  j  the 
apparent  time  for  maturing  on  different  plots  from  129  to  146  days. 

Late  Orange. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  was  15.70  per  cent.;  apparent 
time  of  maturing  on  the  different  plots  from  132  to  164  days. 

Early  Orange. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  14.65  per  cent. ;  apparent 
time  for  maturiug  on  the  different  plots  from  129  to  103  days. 

Early  Golden. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  14.20  per  cent. ;  apparent 
time  of  maturing  on  different  plots  from  131  to  146  days. 

Link's  Hybrid.— Highest  sucrose  obtained  14.70  per  cent. ;  apparent 
time  of  maturing  on  different  plots  from  131  to  161  days. 

Red  Liberian. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  15.70  per  cent.;  apparent 
time  for  maturing  on  different  plots  from  131  to  161  days. 

White  African. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  14.00  per  cent.;  apparent 
time  of  maturing  from  131  to  161  days. 

Deutchet's  Hybrid. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  12.96  percent.;  appar- 
ent time  of  maturing  from  131  to  163  days. 

Waubunsee. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  10.30  per  cent.;  apparent 
time  of  maturing  from  12!>  to  L58  days. 

Q0086  Neck, —  Highest  sucrose  obtained  13.00  per  cent.;  apparent 
time  of  maturing  136  days. 

Honduras.— -Highest  sucrose  obtained  L0.30  per  cent. ;  apparent  time 

of  maturing  from  131  to  MS  days. 

Whiting9*  Early. — Highest  sucrose  obtained  9.00  per  cent.;  apparent 
time  of  maturing  from  131  to  L36  days. 

;,  but 


Large  numbers  of  other  analyses  were  made  on  the  culture  plots, 


77 

the  above  composes  a  summary  of  all  the  most  important.  The  com- 
plete analyses,  together  with  the  analyses  made  for  seed  selection,  will 
be  kept  on  file  in  the  Department. 

►MEDICINE  LODGE. 
ABSTRACT  OF  THE  REPORT  OF  T.  F.  SANBORN. 

The  chemical  work  at  Medicine  Lodge  during  the  first  of  the  season 
was  under  the  control  of  Mr.  Hubert  Edsou.  Mr.  Edson  having  accepted 
a  position  in  Louisiana,  the  latter  part  of  the  work  was  entrusted  to  Mr. 
Sanborn,  who  compiled  the  tables  of  analyses  for  the  whole  season. 

Three  hundred  and  twenty-three  miscellaneous  analyses  were  made 
of  selected  canes  and  canes  from  the  field,  with  the  following  results : 

[In  the  juice.] 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

Percent. 

16.67 

22.70 

9.05 

Percent. 

10.21 

17.33 

l.ll 

Percent. 

1.48 

2.43 

.83 

61.24 

85.37 
9.90 

Minima 

JUICES   FROM   FRESH  CHIPS. 

Forty-nine  analyses  were  made  with  the  following  results 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

Mi  .1113 

16.46 
1!).  12 
14.70 

10.44 
13.45 

8.27 

/'«  ft    ;,  ' 

2.24 
1.62 

1.03 

77.  97 

Forty-nine  analyses  of  the  diffusion  juices  were  mad.'  with  the  fol- 
lowing results  : 


Total 
Bolide. 

3 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

n.  t" 
l  ).■_•:: 
6.01 

Per  cent. 

t.  ia 

5.  20 

l  45 

■2.-<>J          7'i.  To 

Minima 

Forty-nine  analyses  of  exhausted  chips  were  math'  with  the  follow- 
ing results  : 

[In  the  Juice, ) 


solids. 

• 

1 

1.  OS 

\1          D)  i 

1.34 

78 

Forty-seven  analyses  of  the  clarified  juices  were  made  with  theft 
lowing  results : 


Total, 
solius. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Purity. 

Per  cent. 
12.  02 

14.  82 

9.90 

Per  cent. 
7.85 
9.42 
5.  22 

Per  cent. 

1.58 

2.  83 

.78 

65.30 
79.  46 
40.21 

Forty-six  analyses  of  the  sirups  were  made  with  the  following  results 


Total 
solids. 

Sucroses. 

Glucose 

Purity. 

Per  cent. 

Means 1        39.(^9 

Maxima 47.  !»7 

Per  cent. 
20.01 
32.  26 

Per  cent. 
5.45 

8.  1)4 
3.21 

65.40 
73.31 
51.26 

Minima 87. 06 

18.12 

Eleven  aualvses  of  massecuites  were  made  with  the  following  results: 


Total 
solids. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Means 

Per  cent. 
92.  16 
91.74 
91.99 

Per  cent. 
56.  31 
61.92 
51.74 

Per  cent. 
18. 12 
20.  02 
11.29 

The  mean  analyses  of  the  first  sugars  were  as  follows 


Sucrose. 

• 

OM   () 
00    1 

Maximum 

Minimum 

The  mean  composition  of  the  molasses  was  as  follows : 

Per  cent. 

Total  solids 83.  33 

S II  nose 42.  13 

( tlucoM 26,  64 


Mean  composition  of  second  sugars: 

Per  i  .ut 

Saerow „ -     W.7 


79 


MEADE. 
ABSTRACT   OF  REPORT   OF   JOHN  L.   FUELLING. 

On  my  arrival  at  Meade,  the  23d  of  August,  the  sugar-bouse  was  but 
partially  finished,  with  a  poor  prospect  of  a  supply  of  water.  The  cane 
was  short  and  dry  aud  a  very  light  tonnage  per  acre.  It  was  rather 
the  exception  to  find  cane  with  a  fully  matured  head,  and  in  place  of 
the  usual  black  head  of  amber  I  fouud  the  cane  bearing  heads  partially 
white  and  in  some  cases  perfectly  white.  The  differences  in  the  cane 
made  it  imperative  to  have  every  load  tested  which  was  brought  to  the 
sugar  house.  Most  of  the  cane  had  also  been  ruined  by  a  hail  storm 
and  iu  some  cases  by  the  grub  worms  from  the  larvae  of  the  lachuos- 
terna.  The  cane  at  Arkalou  was  in  a  much  better  couditiou.  So  little 
cane  was  received  from  Liberal  that  a  comparison  is  not  made.  In 
some  cases  analyses  showed  that  cane  which  had  been  cut  short  by  the 
drought  so  as  to  produce  no  head  at  all,  gave  a  higher  percentage  of 
sucrose  than  cane  which  to  all  appearances  was  matured.  This  pecu- 
liarity is  shown  by  comparison  of  three  samples  of  cane,  of  which  the 
first  was  a  matured  Orange  cane  with  fully  developed  head,  the  second 
a  sample  of  the  same  variety  of  cane  iu  which  the  seeds  were  still  in 
the  milk,  and  the  third  a  sample  of  the  same  variety  of  cane  which  had 
developed  no  seed  head  at  all. 


Serial. 
No. 

Brix. 

Sucrose.    Glucose. 

Fiber. 

Albumi- 
noids. 

Purity. 

1 

2 

3 

Per  ct. 

19.  72 
23  88 
21.49 

Per  cent. 
13. 35 
18.08 

15.34 

Per  cent. 
2.  35 

1.81 
2.3L 

Per  cent. 
8  73 
10.51 

12.  32 

Per  cent. 
.7750 
1.8000 
1.0312 

67.18 
75.71 

71.38 

It  was  thought  a  sufficient  supply  of  water  could  be  hud  by  boring 
an  artesian  well,  but  this  was  proved  to  be  a  mistake.  After  much 
delay  a  very  deep,  large  well  was  dug  which  furnished  a  moderate  sup- 
ply of  water.  There  was  similar  trouble  at  Arkalou,  making  it  neces- 
sary to  lay  a  line  of  pipe  to  the  Cimarron  River.  The  factory  at  Lib 
eral  was  supplied  by  two  artesian  wells.  The  Incomplete  condition  of 
the  works  made  it  impossible  to  start  them  until  the  Season  was  prac- 
tically at  an  end,  giving  them  only  a  Little  over  a  week  for  actual  work. 
[he double-effect  pan  was  the  source  of  much  trouble  and  loss;  the 
compartments  being  entirely  too  low,  the  juice  on  boiling  would  pass 
into  the  coils  of  the  next  effect  and  out  into  the  ditch.  The  poor  ei 
traction  in  the  battery  was  chiefly  due  to  the  coarse  chips.  The  ensi- 
lage cutter  gave  entire  satisfaction,  doing  all  that  could  be  desired. 

Ouly  one  strike  of  sugar  was  madeal  Meade  aud  Aii.alon  and  two 

at  Liberal,    The  work  being  of  such -hn-  |  vfH  impossible 

to  get  u  desirable  system  of  control, 


80 


There  was  also  no  attempt  to  observe  that  economy  which  is  neces- 
sary to  make  a  success  of  the  sorghum  industry.  Skiintniugs  showing 
5  25  per  cent,  of  sucrose  were  thrown  into  the  ditch  ;  it  was  only  when, 
as  a  last  resource,  I  appealed  to  the  president  of  the  sugar  company,  I 
was  promised  that  this  loss  should  be  corrected. 

According  to  instructions,  I  visited  the  Miuneola  Sugar  Works,  where 
the  roasting  process  was  on  trial  several  times,  but  never  succeeded  in 
getting  any  information  nor  samples,  inasmuch  as  the  works  were  in- 
variably shut  down  on  my  arrival. 

Many  hundreds  of  analyses  of  cane  were  made,  and  the  following 
are  the  averages  of  some  of  the  most  important  varieties: 

Averages  of  special  canes. 

[In  the  juict-.] 


Marked. 


1 

2 
3 
I 

7 
11 


Varieties. 


Cane  grown  on  an  upland 

Cane  grown  on  low-land 

Cane  grown  on  gypsum  soil,  spring  plowing 
Cane  grown  on  gypsum  soil,  fall  plowing... 

Cam-  grown  on  first  year's  sod 

Cane  grown  on  old  sod 

Samples  of  cane  that  were  pithy  and  red  . .. 


Sucrose. 

Purity. 

Per  cent. 

8.34 

52.14 

10.  82 

62.  91 

10.54 

58.  22 

13.14 

65.  gg 

10.77 

63.00 

8.68 

12  -. 

5.70 

42.88 

One  hundred  and  iifty-five  analyses  of  selected  cane  were  made  at 
Meade  with  the  following  mean  results  : 

I  In  the  juice.] 

Total  solids per  cent. .  16.29 

Sucrose .,.  .. do 9.00 

Purity 55.66 

Fifty-eight  analyses  of  cane  were  made  at  Arkalon  with  the  following 
mean  results : 

[In  the  juice.] 

Total  solids per  cent..  16.04 

Sucrose  do 9. 14 

Purity f»<;.lH 

Twelve  samples  of  fresh  chips  entering  the  battery  at  Meade,  were 
examined  with  the  following  mean  results: 

[  In  tliojuiif.) 
Total  solids pel  (rut . .      18,  OS 

Sucrose do 10,61 

Glnooae  — do 3.85 

Purity 58.88 

Nine  samples  of  diffusion  juice   were   examined  at  Meade   with  tin 
following  mean  results  : 

Total  -<»li<ls ,..|mt  r.'iit..      1<>.  P.» 

Sqorotfl do....      5,60 

GtldOOM, ,,,..., ,.,,.,,,,.. ,..do....       1,89 

Purity..,,,, 64,95 


81 

Thirteen  samples  of  exhausted  chips  from  the  battery  were  examined 
with  the  following  mean  results  : 

[In  the  juice.] 

Per  cent. 

Total  solids 4.05 

Sucrose 1.  86 

Eleven  samples  of  sirups  were  examined  with  the  following  mean 
results : 

Total  solids per  cent..  47.92 

Sucrose do 27. 89 

Glucose do 7. 62 

Purity 58.20 

Three  samples  of  massecuites  from  Meade  were  analyzed  with  the  fol- 
lowing mean  results : 

Total  solids per  ceut..  92.36 

Sucrose do 56.  66 

Glucose do 13.  52 

Purity 61.21 

Three  samples  of  sugar  were   analyzed   with   the  following  mean 
result: 

Per  cent. 
Sucrose 93.60 

Three  samples  of  molasses  were  examined  with  the  following  mean 
results  : 

Total  solids per  cent..  81. 16 

Sucrose do 38.  61 

Glucose do 16.18 

Purity 47.67 

NESS  CITY. 
ABSTRACT   OF   REPORT   OF   K.   P.   MCELROY. 

No  sugar  was  made  by  the  Ness  County  Sugar  Company,  a  tact  wholly 
attributable  to  the  poor  quality  of  its  crop.  The  mill  was  started  Sep 
tember  26,  and  was  operated  at  intervals  until  October  15.  The  water 
supply  was  wholly  inadequate  tor  a  sugar-house,  and  although  but 
little  work  was  done  there  was  not  enough  water  to  supply  battery, 
triple  effect,  and  strike  pan  simultaneously.  Out  of  1,500  acres  planted 
in  sorghum  there  was  scarcely  enough  to  supply  the  mill  ten  days  had 
it  been  running  full  capacity. 

The  Cane  entering  the  mill  was  even  of  worse  quality  than  shown  by 
the    means  of  the   analyses   given.     No  care    was  exercised  to  insure 

prompt  delivery  of  cane  after  cutting,  and  in  manj  oases  it  laj  several 
days  in  the  field.    After  reachiug  the  cane  platforms  affairs  were  not 

much  better,  for  the  incessant  stoppages  incident  to  complete  and 
operate  the  mill  simultaneously  caused  the  cane  to  lie  Lndefini1 

the  platform. 

17597— Bull,  26 6 


82 


The  seed  was  purchased  at  Sterling,  lOO  miles  east,  but  the  soil  and 
climate  of  the  two  places  are  radically  different,  and  while  the  crop  at 
Sterling  was  fiue  the  crop  at  Xess  City  was  a  failure. 

One  hundred  and  ninety-five  analyses  of  single  canes  and  samples  of 
cane  from  the  field  were  made,  showing  percentages  of  sucrose  ranging 
from  almost  nothing,  viz :  .10  per  cent,  to  cane  of  fair  quality,  in  one 
instance  15.23  per  cent. 

The  fresh  chips,  exhausted  chips,  and  diffusion  juices  entering  the 
battery  and  representing  fairly  the  cane  manufactured,  had  the  follow- 
ing composition  on  the  dates  mentioned : 

Analytical  Data. 


Date. 


Sept.  26 
Sept.  26 
Srpt  27 
Sept.  27 
Sept  27 
Sept.  27 

Sept.  28 
S  pt  28 
Sept.  28 

Scot.  29 
Sept  '-"J 

Sept.  30 

s  pt.  do 

s«-j,t.  30 
Sept  30 

Oct.  1 

Oct.  1 

Oct.  1 

Oct.  1 

Oct.  10 
Oct.  10 
Oct.    10 

Oct    io 

Oct.  11 

Oct.  1 1 

Oct.  11 

Oct  li 

Oct.  11 
Oct.    11 


rr.  ct. 

18.67 

4  51 

17.  79 

8.55 

53.  19 

1.01 

Extraction 

Fresh  chips  I    18.41  I 

Diffusion  .juice |       9.61 

Exhausted  chips 


Fresh  chips 

Exhausted  chips. 
Fresh  chips  

Diffusion  juice  .. 
Simp  .'..  ... 
Exhausted  chips. 


Brix.      Sucrose.     Purity.      Glucose.      Ratio. 


Per  cent. 
8.38 
1.82 
6.94 
3.  22 
19.92 

.77 

90  per  cent. 
8.  10  |  44. 
3.92  40 

.85    


45.06 

39.14 
37.68 
37  45 


Per  cent. 
5.32 

5.  22 

2.73 
20.19 


59.  40 

75.22 

84.78 
101.  35 


;  dilution  110.4  per  cent, 
on  3.13  I        38.64 

3.  09  79.  69 


Fresh  chips 

Exhausted  chips. 


Fresh  chips 

Diffusion  .juice... 
Clarified  .juice 
Exhausted  chips. 

Fresh  chips  

Diffusion  juice... 

Sii  up       •     

Exhausted  chips 


Extraction  89.50  percent. 


16.71 


6.66 


39.  86 


dilution  91.50  per  cent. 
5.08  I        76.28 


Extraction  91. 

37. 
38, 


17.70  |  6.68 

10.04  3.87 

:<:>::  4.23 

1.53  !  .32 

Extraction  95  21  per  cent. 

I     15.71  I  5.46  I        34. 

I     10.61   |  3  74  |        35. 

I     47.04  I         16.45  34. 

2. 03  .48      

Extraction  91  21  per  (  en' 

Fresh  chips   I     14.07  |  3.16  1        26. 

Diffusion  juice  !     10.36  3. 12  |        3«t. 

rhiri  fled  juice. I      9.96  1  3.07  30. 

Exhausted  chips 2. 03  |  .22  |  

Extraction  93.99  per  cent 


00  per  cent. 
74  I  6.  46 

55  I         3.  M 
39  I  4.  19 


96  70 
101.  80 

99.05 


dilution  76.2  per  cent. 
75 

97 


6.41 
4.43 
20.26 


117.40 
118.45 
123.  16 


;  dilution  48.1  percent. 
02  1  6.44  1  175.95 
12  |  4.49  I       143. 91 

83  I  4.39  I       143.00 


Fresh  chips   I  14  81  i  5.47  1  36. 

Diffusion  juice |  10.39  I  3.20  B0. 

Olaiifledjuice I  9.57  2.  P6  2ft 

Sirup     ..' |  35.30   I  12.50   |  35. 

tfaeoeouite .1  Pi.  so  i  23.30  i  28. 

Exhausted  chips I  8.08  .03  1  


dilution  :r>  8  per  cent 


:..  77 
3.07 
2.  72 
10.67 
33.  33 


105  49 
95  94 
95.  1 1 
157.30 
143.05 


extraction  83.00 percent;  dilution 42.5  percent 


METHODS  OF  IMPROVING   SORGHUM. 

ABSTRACT   OF    REPORT   <>K    A.    A.    DENTON    AND   C.    A.    CHAMPTON. 

STERLING,    K  \.ns. 

It  lias  been  proven  by  the  thousands  of  analyses  of  sorghum  juices 
which  have  been  made  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  that  sorghum 
cam1  a  often  contain  n  fair  percentage  of  en  stullizable  sugar,  sometimes 
as  much  as  tropical  sugar-cane,  or  as  the  improved  sugar-beet.     It  has 

also  been  shown  that  similar  canesgrown  under  apparently  similar  con- 
ditions often  contain  but  little  sugar,  and  that  sorghum  canes  are  vari- 
able m  quality, 


83 

One  object  of  this  experimental  work  has  been  to  determine  the  causes 
of  this  variableness,  and  to  determine  whether  the  cane  can  be  bred  up 
to  uniformly  good  quality. 

There  are  two  classes  of  plants  which  can  be  improved  with  difficulty. 
One  of  these  classes  consists  of  plants  which  are  of  fixed  types,  in  which 
the  individual  plants  vary  but  little,  and  which  readily  revert  to  the 
original  type.  The  other  class  consists  of  plauts  which  are  so  variable 
that  they  can  with  difficulty  be  reduced  to  fixed  types  having  uniform 
qualities.  As  sorghum  is  a  variable  plaut,  its  improvement  implies 
that  it  should  be  bred  to  certain  fixed  types  which  will  have  uniform 
qualities. 

The  lines  in  which  the  improvement  of  the  plaut  should  be  carried 
out  were  laid  down  by  us  in  Bulletin  No.  20,  as  follows: 

(1)  By  growing  and  testing  all  known  varieties  and  selecting  the  most 
promising. 

(2)  By  hybridizing  or  crossing  these  varieties. 

(3)  By  preserving  "  sports"  or  variations. 

(4)  By  selecting  seed  from  the  finest  individual  canes  of  each  variety. 

(5)  By  improved  methods  of  cultivation. 

All  of  these  methods  were  practiced  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  in  the 
work  in  1888,  and  this  season's  work  has  been  practically  a  direct  con- 
tinuation of  the  first  years  work,  with  such  modifications  as  were  sug- 
gested by  the  experience  of  one  season.  The  results  and  conclusions 
attained  in  each  direction  will  be  set  forth  in  the  order  given  above. 

1. — Experiments  in  growing  different  varieties  of  cane. 

The  first  step  in  this  work  is  the  collection  of  varieties  of  sorghum  from 
all  countries  where  sorghum  is  grown,  and  a  comparison  of  the  quali- 
ties of  the  canes.  After  this  has  been  done  there  are  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  selecting  the  best  varieties.  It  is  well  understood  by  horticult- 
urists that  plants  sometimes  gain,  sometimes  lose,  by  a  change  to  new 
conditions  of  soil  and  climate;  they  require  time  to  adjust  themselves 
to  new  conditions.  It  is  also  well  understood  by  agriculturists  thai  a 
certain  variety  of  a  plant  may  excel  all  other  varieties  in  one  season, 
and  yet  may  be  excelled  by  other  varieties  in  another  season. 

These  variations  are  caused  partly  by  known  and  partly  by  unknown 
causes,  some  of  which  may  be  beyond  the  control  of  the  agriculturist. 

Judged  by  the  average  results  of  a  term  of  years  il  may  be  decided 
that  a  certain  variety  is  pre-eminently  suited  to  one  section  of  the  coun- 
try.    If  the  results  of  one  season's    trial  of  a  variety  are  good  it  is  en 

oouraging,  but  it  requires  confirmation. 
When  the  beet-sugar  industry  began  it  met  the  same  difficulties  in 

selecting  the  best  varieties.      The  common  beet  was  found  wild  along  the 

coast   of  the  Mediterranean,  species  were  fouud  in  Western  Asia  and 
in  Northern  Africa.    These  varieties  differed  in  form,  in  color,  in 

and  in   sweetness.     Some  contained    but  2  per  cent,  of  BDgSI  and  cor- 


84 

responded  to  the  non -saccharine  varieties  of  sorghum.  It  was  found 
that  the  white  Silesian  variety  contained  most  sugar  and  least  impurity. 
This  variety  was  selected,  and  from  it  the  best  improved  varieties  of 
the  present  day  have  been  developed.  This  selection  of  the  best  vari- 
ety and  the  development  of  improved  varieties  required  time,  and  oc- 
casioned the  remark,  u  The  beet-sngar  industry  began  140 years  ago, 
and  for  half  of  that  time  no  one  could  make  it  pay." 

RESULTS    OF    TWO     SEASON'S'    WOliK    APPLIED    TO    THE    WEEDING    OUT    OF    INFERIOR 

VARIETIES. 

All  the  varieties  grown  last  year,  whether  they  had  done  well  or  not, 
were  planted  again  this  year.  Even  two  years'  growing  of  a  variety  is 
not  fully  conclusive  as  to  its  merits,  and  observations  extending  over  a 
term  of  several  years  would  be  required  to  determine  absolutely  that  a 
variety  was  decidedly  inferior  and  incapable  of  rapid  improvement; 
yet  the  varieties  of  sorghum  are  so  numerous,  aud  differ  so  widely  in 
their  qualities,  that  it  would  seem  a  waste  of  time  to  adhere  longer  to 
varieties  that  had  shown  uniformly  poor  qualities  for  two  years  in  suc- 
cession. We  would  therefore  recommend,  in  case  of  a  continuance  of 
this  work,  that  such  varieties  be  thrown  aside  and  attention  concen- 
trated on  the  numerous  varieties  which  have  shown  good  qualities  dur- 
ing both  seasons  at  this  station,  and  to  those  varieties  which  have 
shown  marked  excellence  at  least  one  season  in  some  particular  direc- 
tion, though  not  in  all,  with  the  expectation  that  they  might  be  im- 
proved in  the  qualities  where  they  were  still  lacking,  by  some  of  the 
methods  of  improvement. 

CONTRAST    BETWEEN    THE    CHARACTER  OF   THE    GROWING    SEASONS   OF    1888  AND  1889. 

While  the  work  at  this  station  has  only  been  continued  over  a  space 
of  two  years,  the  diversity  of  climatic  conditions  existing  daring  these 
seasons  has  contributed  greatly  towards  making  a  fairly  complete  test 
of  the  relative  merit  of  different  varieties.  The  season  of  1SS8  at  this 
point  was  exceptionally  dry  and  hot;  the  season  of  1889  was  just  the 
reverse — exceptionally  wet  and  cold.  The  growth  of  the  cane  was  con- 
sequently very  different.  In  188S  it  made  a  short  growth  ;  the  amount 
produced  to  a  given  area  of  ground  was  small  and  the  cane  ripened 
early.  In  1889  the  growth  was  very  heavy,  the  amount  produced  to  a 
given  area  was  nearly  twice  as  great  as  in  the  preceding  year,  and  the 
time  of  maturing  was  at  least  two  weeks  later.     These  two  contrasting 

seasons,  therefore,  constitute  a  pretty  severe  test  of  the  different  varie- 
ties, and   such  of   them   as  made  a   favorable  showing  in   both  can   be 

pretty  safely  depended  on  to  have  permanent  good  qualities.  Varieties 

that  made  a  good  showing  in  the  one  season  and  not  in  the  other  could 
not  properly  be  condemned,  however,  as  the  conditions  may  have  been 
particularly  severe  on  them.     In  1889|  for  example,  the  late  season  did 


85 

not  permit  of  the  ripening  of  some  of  the  late  varieties  before  frost, 
although  the  previous  season  the  highest  analyses  obtained  were  from 
these  same  late  varieties. 

II.— Experiments  in  hybridizing  or  crossing  varieties.    III. — 
Experiments  in  preserving  sports  or  variations. 

After  the  best  of  the  known  varieties  have  been  selected,  the  next 
step  is  the  improvement  of  these  varieties,  which  may  be  accomplished 
by  causing  or  promoting  variations  among  them,  and  thus  obtaining 
new  and  improved  varieties. 

The  success  of  the  beet  sugar  industry  is  based  upon  the  improved 
varieties  which  the  beet  growers  have  created.  The  success  of  the 
sorghum  industry  will  be  based  upon  the  possibility  of  procuring  im- 
proved varieties. 

In  18G0,  when  Vilmorin  was  producing  his  famous  variety  of  the  beet 
known  as  the  "Improved  Vilmorin,"  he  resorted  to  crossing  varieties, 
and  then  to  selection  of  seed  from  the  best  of  the  crossed  plants.  Many 
of  the  finest  fruits  have  been  crossed  and  recrossed  many  times.  Then, 
again,  many  valuable  varieties  of  plants  have  originated  in  so-called 
"  sports  "  or  variations  which  have  suddenly  appeared  in  some  unknown 
way.  It  is  probable  that  these  are  often  simply  accidental  or  unknown 
crosses. 

In  the  work  at  this  station  the  experiments  in  this  direction  have 
been  confined  to  this  class  of  variations,  the  large  number  of  plots  and 
press  of  work  having  prevented  experiments  in  the  line  of  artificially 
produced  crosses. 

In  the  following  analyses  it  will  be  seen  that  we  have  selected  many  of 
these  variations  of  unknown  origin  from  among  canes  of  well  known  va- 
rieties ;  some  of  them  differ  from  all  known  varieties  of  sorghum,  some  of 
them  have  much  higher  percentage  of  sugar  than  the  varieties  from  which 
they  were  taken.  In  fact,  these  variations  are  new  varieties.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  the  Early  Amber,  which  is  now  perhaps  the  most 
widely  distributed  variety  of  sorghum,  is  said  to  have  been  a  chance 
variation  found  in  a  field  of  the  "  Chinese  n  variety,  and  also  that  Link's 
Hybrid,  which,  if  not  the  best  variety  for  sugar  manufacture,  is  one  of  the 
best,  originated  in  a  variation  found  in  a  held  of  the  Honduras  variety. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  remarkable  variations  in  type,  in  time  of 
maturing,  and  in  quality  of  juice  are  produced  by  crossing  varieties,  or 
that  permanent  new  varieties  having  new  characters  and  qualities  may 
be  produced  by  crossing  varieties  of  BOrghum.     In  many  of  the  lots  in 

the  experimental  field  which  were  planted  with  the  Beeds  from  a  single 
crossed  cane  the  variations  in  the  qualities  of  the  individual  canes  w  ere 
so  great  that  it  was  not  possible  to  take  average  samples  of  cane  from 

those  lots  which  would  give  comparable  analyses.      Here  is  opport unity 

for  the  skilled  horticulturist  to  select  a  Bingle  crossed  cane  of  desired 

character  and  of  unuMial  percentage  of  sugar,  and  to  fix  its  cxtraordi- 


- 


.. 


S    \nd  thus  .n  itupiv 

sponsible  to  eoaabine  the good  quali: 
C>ir  analyses  show  that  some        sees  earlier  than  the  late  nuh 

taring  pu  ^:aie  have  very  high  percentages  of  crystal- 

laUes^ir  s  me  have  very  low  percentage  of  uncrystallizabla 

sugar  -  one  have  high  purity  of  juice,  and  some  give  a  large  yield 

"  VTVTVG  "   OK  ACCIDENTAL  CBOS$:>  vRIETIES. 

The  indiscriminate  crossing  of  varieties,  caused  by  seeds  of  more  than 

ng  planted  together,  is,  of  course,  an  unmixed  evil  so  far  as 

Lofaeture  is  concerned.    But  our  work  and  observations  at 

station  tor  the  pas:  two  years  have  convinced  us  that  the  extent 

to  match  such  crossing  occurs  between  varieties  planted  in  juxtaposition 

has  bee:   ■  iggerated. 

has  been  said  that  var  :  sorghum  will  mix  across  a  40- 

acre  field,  and  that  broom  corn  makes  sorghum  which  grows  a  mOe 
away  worthless  for  sugar  manufacture.  TVe  have  carefully  observed 
the  evidences  of  crossing,  and  have  not  yet  seen  proof  that  crossing 
occurs  at  a  considerable  distance.  It  is  observed  that  sorghum  does 
not  produce  pollen  in  such  profusion  as  corn.  With  sorghum  there  is 
no  neees  -aeh  excess  of  pollen.     It  is  true  with  sorghum,  as  it 

nost  other  plants,  that  when  seeds  of  two  or  more  varieties  arc 
planted  together  or  in  close   proximity,  crossed  plants  sometimes  a] 
pear  the  next  season  from  germs  of  t  Is  which  were  cross  ferti- 

lized the  first  season.    It  *y  to  understand  that  seed-tops  sv 

id  may  come  in  contact  with  seed-tops  of  other  canes.     C 
ing  of  varied  ~er.  is  not  as  frequent  as  is  supposed.     We  have 

frequently  intentionally  mixed  thousands  of  seeds  of  two  varieties  and 
planted  them  together  for  the  purpose  of  producing  a  cross  bet  wees 
:ies7  and  in  the  following  year  we  have  often  found  but  few. 
of  the  thousands  of  canes  produced  by  those  exposed 
plants  to  show  the  desired  cross. 

-  |  .  i        _      r  many  years  of  sorghum  seeds  which  fa  itu 

•  - -     -         -  .-.:       ,..---:-:-./-■  :    ■  greater  or  less  degree  has,  however 

prodneed  endless  variations  in  type,  in  timeof  matari?  _  in  quality 

of  ordinary  sorghum  canes.     In  many  hundred  packages  of  sorghum 

seed-  -*ion  from  many  countries  tb<  but  few? 

which  varia*  g  could  not  be  found. 

ft  ->een  said  that  where  broom  com  or  other  non-saccharine 

orgbnm  cane  is  worthless 

ictare    It  baa  been  said  tl  ries  which 

'J    of   non  saccharine  varieties  contained   but  2  per 

cent,  of  sugar.     Ithai  rgbom  growing  in  France  for 

:ohol  from  the  in   the  canes  was  abandoned 

•:rioration  in  the  quality  of  the  canes  produced  by 


'7 

crossing  with  broom  corn.      But  if      -    ■  possible  - 
to  modify  the  cbai 
the  germ  which  pro'; 

eed  cootaiDH  the  the  plant.    If  the  b. 

is  known,  the  charactei  of  the  plant  which  it  produces  is  also  kn 

cumstancefi  may  modify  I  .  but  the; 

bange  the  type  o  the  plant.    Sorghum  I  pure 

variety  planted  with  broo  ;bariue  var: 

duces  as  good  canes  with  as  high        g  vent  as  if  Tylanted  alone. 

jerrns  of  the  seeds  pi        ee  I  :nay.  bo 

tilized  with  pollen  from  the  ^.nd  the  pla:, 

the  second  generation  may  tfc  .  ,r  manufacture. 

It  follows  from  the* 
each  year  it  is  immaterial   what  .own  in  the  ad; 

i,  but  the  seed  for  the  succeeding  y«-ar  .should  not  be  saved  from 
such  fields,  bat  a  fresh  -  ipp      -  loald  be  procured  from  a  seed  i*: 
establishment  for  the  production  of  pare  seed.     In  such  an  e 

\  of  course,  all  doubt  in  :  •  ■ .  the  purity  of  th  ^kould  be 

removed  by  making  continue    s  select  -I  from  year  to  year, 

au<l  by  planting  the  >  eed  in  widely  separated  lots,  as  is  done  in 

growing  " special"  beet  -  i   sugar  manufacture.     Unfortunately 

it  has  not  been  possible  to  do  this  with  the  raised  at  this  station 

r,  and  we  are  unable  to  guaranty  absolutely  the  purity  of  the 
varieties.  The  facilities  and  allowances  have  been  so  meager  and  the 
range  of  the  work  so  extended  that  sufficient  5]  »uld  not  be  gi 

the  different  plots.  We  have  had  to  determine  the  qualities  of  all  the 
varieties,  to  study  the  tendei  -  I  selection  and  o:  :  n  _.  .ad  to 
learn  the  methods  of  improving  the  sorghum  cane.  It  has  not  hitherto 
been  possible  to  plant  four  hm  parate  pack   g   s  1   on 

four  hundred  separate  farms.     In  continuing  tL>  mental  work 

with  a  view  to  the  selection  ot  pure   -  :  the  best  van-"     - 

amended  that  a  much  lai  _  .  of  land  -    I  for  this  purpose 

has  previousl  s         nd  that  it  be  land  upon  which  sorghum 

not  before  been  grown,  so  as  to  do  away  with  the  difficulty  arising 
from  volunteer  cane. 

IV. — Experiments  in  the  selection  of  seep  r  iytdujll 

OANBS  show i\ 

The  importance  of  this  mo;'.  ent  and  the  pi 

btaining  good  results  by  following  it  up  n 
report,  but  perhaps  some  further  -  I  suc- 

cess in  the  beet  indus  not  be  amiss.    S  speak* 

.v  s  : 

In  the  last  u  ^  rears  ss 

■MM  more  apparent  ^  I 


ppolyte  LopUy,  Bull    IS,  p    Lti 


88 

more  than  ever  the  condition  of  the  factories  demands  rich  beets.  *  *  *  While 
formerly  it  was  sought  to  accomplish  this  object  by  pure  breeding  of  the  best  varie- 
ties, now  more  prominence  is  attached  to  the  selection  of  seed  from  individual  beets 
of  the  highest  sugar  content  and  purity.  *  *  *  It  was  only  after  people  had 
learned  to  select  beets  for  seed  first  by  their  outward  characteristics,  then  from  these 
according  to  their  sugar  content,  that  beets  were  produced  which  combined  excel- 
lence of  form  and  of  sugar  content.  *  *  *  In  conclusion,  it  may  be  said  that  too 
great  emphasis  can  not  be  laid  upon  the  fact  that  no  other  branch  of  the  subject 
deserves  greater  attention  from  beet-sugar  growers  tLan  the  planting  of  the  best 
seed. 

In  the  present  condition  of  the  sorghum-sugar  industry,  and  in  the 
undeveloped  condition  of  the  sorghum  plant,  these  statements  have 
special  force  and  should  have  the  careful  consideration  of  sorghum- 
sugar  growers. 

TIME    REQUIRED    FOR    IMPROVEMENT  IN   VARIETIES   OF   SORGHUM   BY  SELECTION   OF 

SEED 

In-Bulletin  No.  20  atteutiou  was  called  to  the  advantages  possessed 
by  sorghum  over  other  sugar-producing  plants  in  the  ease  with  which 
seed  could  be  selected  from  the  best  individuals  by  the  analysis  of  the 
juice. 

While  an  increased  yield  of  sugar  may  be  speedily  obtained  by  a 
single  selection  of  seed  and  by  separate  planting  and  by  careful  culti- 
vation, the  development  of  purebred  seed  of  improved  varieties  will 
require  more  time. 

PROGRESS  MADE   IN  THIS  DIRECTION  THE  PAST  SEASON. 

Unfortunately  we  can  not  report  much  progress  in  this  line  of  im- 
provement during  the  past  season.  In  1888  the  selections  of  seed  heads 
by  analysis  from  standard  varieties  covered  comparatively  a  small  rauge 
of  individuals  from  a  few  standard  varieties  only.  The  work  of  selec- 
tion began  late  iu  the  season,  and  consequently  was  confined  entirely 
to  the  late  varieties,  such  as  Liberian,  Early  Orange,  etc.  But  these 
late  varieties  were  the  very  ones  that  did  not  mature  this  season,  so  it 
was  impossible  to  determine  whether  any  improvement  had  been  made. 
With  the  exception  of  these  late  varieties,  nearly  all  kinds  of  cane  made 
a  better  showing  in  analysis  this  year  than  last.  It  was  a  better  sea- 
son for  the  development  of  the  sugar  content  of  sorghum  cane.  The 
analysis  of  average  Samples  from  plots  which  were  planted  from  single 
seed  heads  that  had  been  selected  for  some  special  reason,  such  as  pe- 
culiarity of  form,  and  of  which  the  analysis  was  known,  shows  almost 
invariably  a  higher  analysis  than   the  cane   from   which   the  plot  was 

planted.    This  improvement  could  not  be  attributed  to  selection  for  a 
single  season,  but  was  due  to  the  better  growing  season,  as  already 
staled. 
This  year  more  work  was  accomplished  in  the  selection  of  fine  iudi- 


89 

vidual  canes  from  standard  varieties,  and  a  better  foundation  was  laid 
for  the  prosecution  of  this  method  of  improvement  in  future  years. 
Nearly  every  variety  which  showed  good  general  results  was  subjected 
to  selection  of  individuals  by  analysis,  and  a  large  numberof  seed  heads 
obtained,  with  a  high  "  record"  for  one  season.  It  is  not  to  be  expected 
that  the  canes  produced  from  these  seed  heads  next  year  will  necessa- 
rily show  higher,  or  even  as  high  analyses  as  the  parent  cane  from 
which  they  came.  Next  season  may  be  as  exceptionally  bad  as  this  sea- 
son was  exceptionally  good  for  the  production  of  fine  canes.  Even  if 
the  seasons  are  equal  in  this  respect,  it  will  not  show  that  the  plant 
can  not  be  improved  in  this  direction. 

It  is  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  seeds  from  a  cane  of  extraordi- 
nary quality  will  produce  canes  of  as  extraordinary  quality  as  the  par- 
ent caue,  for  this  implies  that  a  greatly  improved  variety  can  be  produced 
by  a  single  selection.  A  gradual  and  general  improvement,  after  selec- 
tions extending  over  several  years,  is  all  that  could  reasonably  be  ex- 
pected. 

IMPORTANCE  OF  PLANTING  SEED  WHICH  WILL  PRODUCE  CANES  WITH  A  UNIFORM  TIME 

OF   RIPENING. 

Independently  of  the  matter  of  improving  varieties  of  sorghum  by 
selecting  seed  from  the  best  individual  canes,  it  seems  to  be  clearly 
proved  by  the  experimental  work  that  very  great  improvement  in  the 
yield  of  sugar  may  be  made  by  selecting  and  planting  together  those 
seeds  of  a  variety  which  mature  at  one  time. 

In  all  ordiuary  fields  of  sorghum  it  is  noticed  that  all  the  cauesofone 
variety  and  of  one  planting  do  not  mature  at  the  same  time  even  if  the 
variety  is  pure  and  unmixed  with  other  varieties;  they  vary  in  maturing 
from  two  to  four  weeks.  These  differences  in  time  of  maturing  are 
almost  sufficient  to  account  for  the  considerable  differences  in  sugar 
content  which  are  found  in  the  individual  canes  in  one  row  of  one  held. 
It  is  well  known  that  immature  canes,  and  also  over-ripe  canes  whose 
juice  has  deteriorated,  have  alow  percentage  of  cry  stallizable  sugar  and 
a  high  percentage  of  uncrystallizable  sugar.  In  practical  work  it  is  not 
possible  to  harvest  only  the  canes  which  are  in  their  best  state,  and 
thus,  although  the  individual  canes  in  a  field  have,  or  have  had.  or 
would  have  if  left  longer  to  mature,  a  fair  percentage  <>i  sugar,  vet  the 
average  yield  of  sugar  from  all  the  canes  harvested  atone  time  will  be 

small.  It  follows  from  these  tacts  that  although  SOrgham  seed  may 
seem  pure  and  unmixed  with  seed  of  other  varieties,  yet  if  it  contains 
subvarieties  which  mature  at    different  times  this    will   lessen  the  yield 

of  sugar,  for  there  will  be  differences  in  degree  <>i"  maturity,  and  oonse< 

(juent  differences  in  sugar  content  in  the  individual  canes,  ami  the  aver- 
age yield  of  sugar  will  be  low. 


90 


PLOTS  PLANTED   FROM   A  SINGLE   SEED   HEAD. 

The  advantage  of  raising  canes  with  a  uniform  period  of  ripening 
was  beautifully  illustrated  in  the  experimental  field  this  season  by  the 
plots  which  had  been  planted  from  a  single  seed  head  of  a  pure,  well- 
established  variety.  The  canes  in  such  plots,  without  exception, 
came  up,  and  grew  and  ripened  with  a  remarkable  degree  of  uniform- 
ity. The  tops  of  some  plots  were  like  level  floors,  and  there  was  prob- 
ably not  a  week's  difference  in  time  of  maturity  amongst  the  individual 
canes.  The  canes  were  uniform  not  only  in  time  of  maturing,  but  also 
in  type  and  in  analysis.  In  plots  planted  with  seed  taken  from  a  gen- 
eral lot,  on  the  other  hand,  the  differences  iu  type,  in  time  of  maturity, 
and  in  analysis  were  apparent  even  to  the  unobservant. 

If  now  it  were  possible  to  plant  an  entire  field  with  the  seed  from  a 
single  cane,  and  thus  secure  the  same  degree  of  uniformity  we  obtained 
in  our  small  plots,  nothing  better  could  be  desired.  This  can  not  be 
done,  of  course,  but  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  seed  heads  selected 
from  such  a  uniform  collection  as  our  plots  would  produce  a  field  of 
cane  in  which  the  individuals  would  approximate  closely  iu  maturity 
and  in  type,  even  though  they  came  from  different  seed  heads.  A  single 
seed  head  will  plant  a  pretty  large  area  of  ground,  and  from  the  cane 
it  produces  enough  can  be  selected  the  second  year  to  plant  a  large 
field. 

If  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  secure  this  essential  uniformity,  we 
would  recommend  sorghum  growers  to  obtain  their  seed  for  planting  in 
this  way:  To  obtain  a  single  seed  head  from  a  good  and  pure  variety, 
from  which  it  has  been  selected  for  exceptionally  good  results  on  an- 
alysis. This  will  correspond  to  the  "  mother"  beet  in  beet  culture,  and 
the  seeds  from  this  head  should  be  planted  in  a  separate  plot  ami  all 
possible  precautions  taken  to  prevent  their  being  contaminated  or  cross- 
fertilized  from  other  canes.  Unifoimity  should  be  further  secured  by 
care  in  cultivation,  and  even  covering,  so  as  to  secure  an  equal  chance 
for  all,  and  there  is  little  room  for  doubt  that  the  seed  from  these  canes 
will  produce  a  field  of  exceptional  evenness  of  type,  of  time  of  matu- 
rity, and  of  sugar  content. 

We  regard  this  method  of  u family  breeding"  as  the  best  calculated 
to  overcome  the  variableness  of  sorghum  and  to  produce  fixed  types  of 
uniform  qualities. 

If  one  thousand  canes  are  taken  from  one  variety  on  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember and  examined  separately,  and  if  from  these  three  or  four  seed 
heads  arc  selected  from  the  canes  which  contain  most  sugar,  then  it  is 
evident  that  while  selecting  canes  of  unusual  quality  selections  are  also 
made  of  canes  which  mature  at  that  date;  and  if  on  the  1st  of  Octo- 
ber one  thousand  canes  are  again  taken  from  the  same  plot, and  if  from 
these  similar  selections  are  made,  then  it  is  evident  that  while  selecting 
Danes  of  unusual  quality,  selections  arc  also  made  of  canes  which  ma- 


91 

ture  a  month  later  than  the  first  selections.  The  mixture  of  seeds  from 
these  subvarieties  which  mature  a  mouth  apart  is  especially  to  be 
avoided;  it  nullifies  the  effort  to  produce  canes  which  ripen  at  the  same 
time.  Selections  by  analysis,  made  when  the  plot  on  an  average  is  im- 
mature, picks  out  the  early  ripening  canes;  selections  made  when  the 
plot  on  an  average  is  over  ripe,  rejects  all  but  the  late  ripening  canes. 
In  order  to  have  the  selection  based  as  much  as  possible  upon  relative 
good  qualities  of  the  canes,  such  work  should  therefore  be  done  as 
nearly  as  possible  when  the  greater  part  of  the  whole  plot  is  at  the  maxi- 
mum of  maturity,  and  this  is  made  much  easier  if  the  plot  is  itself 
fairly  uniform. 

Early  selections  may  of  course  be  practised  in  an  endeavor  to  improve 
a  variety  in  early  ripening.  It  is  evident  that  both  earlier,  and  also 
later  maturing  subvarieties  of  sorghum  may  be  formed  by  continued 
selections  of  early  or  of  late  maturing  canes  from  one  variety  ;  the  effect 
of  early,  and  also  of  late  selections  from  the  late  maturing  Honduras 
variety  will  be  seen  in  the  analyses  of  different  plots  of  that  variety. 
Where  a  variety  is  to  be  maintained  in  its  integrity  and  normal  condi- 
tion, however,  selections  from  it  should  be  made  only  at  one  time,  and 
that  time  when  it  is  neither  uuder  nor  over  ripe. 

Another  argument  in  favor  of  "intensive  breeding,1'  that  is,  taking 
a  single  seed  head  as  a  starting  point,  preserving  the  succeeding  gen- 
eration intact,  and  endeavoring  to  promote  uniformity  amongst  canes 
in  the  plot,  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  analysis  may  not  give  a 
proper  indication  of  the  quality  of  the  seed  of  the  cane  analyzed,  if 
cross-fertilization  has  taken  place  between  it  and  neighboring  canes. 
Suppose,  for  example,  that  a  cane  is  selected  by  analysis  from  a  plot  in 
which  there  is  not  much  uniformity  among  individuals;  the  simple 
fact  that  it  had  been  selected  on  account  of  its  very  high  analysis  would 
imply  that  the  canes  around  it  were  much  inferior.  If  its  seeds  have 
been  fertilized  by  pollen  from  any  of  these  inferior  neighbors,  they  will 
be  just  as  likely  to  transmit  their  inferior  qualities  as  the  good  qualities 
of  the  parent  stem,  and  the  high  analysis  of  the  latter  would  therefore 
be  no  guaranty  of  the  quality  of  the  seed  taken  from  it.  Were  the 
parent  stem  surrounded  by  individuals  of  as  high,  or  nearly  as  high 
quality  as  itself,  this  danger  would  be  avoided. 

V. — Experiments  in  improvement  bt  methods  op  o\  lth  ltion. 

The  methods  of  cultivation  employed  at  this  station  have  been  per 
haps  sufficiently  set  forth  by  as  in  our  previous  report  We  can  only 
emphasize  the  necessity  of  care  in  following  the  details  of  the  directions 
given,  and  would  desire,  a9  evidence  of  the  correctness  of  our  method 

and  of  the  good  results  which  can  be  obtained  by  careful  cultivation, 
to  call  attention  to  the  many  line  plots  of  cane  raited  at  this  station  the 
past  season. 

It  is  difficult  to  make  apparent  on  paper  the  good  quality  of  ihe>c  plots, 


92 

for  the  analyses  do  not  show  the  handsome  appearance  and  fine  growth 
of  the  cane,  or  its  uniform  ripening  and  even  character.  Some  indica- 
tion may  be  had,  however,  from  the  following  table,  giving  the  yield  per 
acre  of  a  few  plots,  obtained  in  a  manner  to  be  described  later  on  : 


Variety. 

Xo. 
of 

pot. 

Yield 
per 
acre. 

Tons. 

19.V 
20* 
211 

m 

21i 
22i 

$ 

29 

24 
33i 

186 
376 
226 
227 
228 
239 
386 
2=>4 
258 
382 
115 
383 

Do 

Plot  Xo.  24  (1888) 

Plot  Xo.  14  (1888) 

Do 

Unrte  debate 

Plot  Xo.  52  (1888) 

Do 

This  list  includes  only  a  few  plots  which  were  standing  nearly  intact 
at  the  close  of  the  season,  and  the  yield  in  many  others  was  fully  as 
high.  Yet,  notwithstanding  the  heavy  growth,  the  sugar  content  was 
very  good,  the  cane  was  uniform,  and  the  analyses  of  average  samples 
corresponded  well  with  one  another.  There  could  be  no  question  what- 
ever of  successful  sugar  manufacture  from  fields  of  such  cane,  and  we 
see  no  reason  why  large  fields  of  similar  cane  should  not  be  produced  as 
well  as  small  ones  by  the  same  care  in  planting  and  cultivation. 

DETERIORATION  OF  SORGHUM  AFTER  BEING  CUT. 

It  is  unfortunate  that  canes  rapidly  deteriorate,  if  they  remain  long 
unworkcd  after  being  cut.  This  fact  adds  greatly  to  the  difficulties  of 
sorghum  sugar  manufacture.  In  practical  woik,  unavoidable  losses  occur 
from  the  rapid  deterioration  of  the  canes.  It  is  probable  that  there  are 
considerable  differences  in  the  varieties  in  their  keeping  qualities,  but 
we  are  not  aware  that  any  experiments  have  yet  been  made  to  determine 
their  relative  keeping  qualities  and  it  may  be  well  to  call  attention  to 
this  point.  It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  sorghum  cane  of  an  im- 
proved variety,  having  high  purity  and  20  per  cent,  of  sugar  will  deteri- 
orate less  rapidly  than  sorghum  cane  which  has  low  purity  and  but  10 
percent,  of  sugar. 

The  various  experiments  that  are  on  record  in  respect  to  the  loss  of 
sugar  in  siloed  cane  also,  would  seem  to  indicate  very  marked  differ- 
ences in  the  keeping  qualities  Of  different  varieties.  Professor  Cow- 
gill,  for  example,  in  October,  L884,  buried  one  ton  of  Link's  Hybrid,  and 
one  ton  of  Orange  cane,  covering  with  three  inches  of  soil.  The  canes 
were  taken  up  and  analyzed  in  the  following  January,  and  his  conclusion 
was  that  the  Link's  Hybrid  canes  had  sustained  no  loss  of  sucrose  by 
being  buried  three  months,  while  the  Orange  canes  had  lost  nearly  5 
per  cent.  A  similar  experiment  made  at  this  station  may  be  given  a 
place  here  as  a  contribution  to  the  study  of  this  point.     On  October  19 


93 

5  tons  of  cane  were  taken  from  a  plot  of  Early  Orange,  and  the  same 
amount  from  a  plot  of  Late  Orange;  the  canes  were  covered  in  a  very 
simple  and  expeditious  manner  by  throwing  a  furrow  from  each  side 
upon  the  cane  laid  lengthwise  aloug  the  row.  On  December  2  the  bur- 
ied cane  was  taken  up,  passed  through  the  large  five-roller  mill  of  the 
Sterling  Sirup  Works,  the  juice  from  the  entire  5  tons  of  each  variety 
collected  in  separate  tanks  aud  analyzed,  together  with  analyses  of  the 
juice  from  an  average  sample  of  cane  from  the  same  plots,  taken  just 
before  the  plot  was  cut  up,  and  passed  through  the  small  band-mill. 


Before  burying,  October  19. 

After  being  taken  from  silo,  Decem- 
ber 2. 

Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Co-effi- 
cient of 
purity. 

Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Coeffi- 
cient of 
purity. 

Eatly  Orange 

Late  Orange 

0 

15.64 
16.34 

Per  cent. 
10.87 
11.56 

Per  cent. 
2.11 
1.80 

69.  50 

7U.74 

o 

16.80 
16.20 

Per  cent. 
9.62 
9.23 

Per  cent. 
2.  75 

2.66 

57.30 
57.00 

The  analyses  show  a  loss  of  sucrose  in  the  Early  Orange  of  1.26 
per  cent.,  and  a  gain  of  .64  per  cent,  of  glucose;  and  in  the  Late 
Orange  a  loss  of  2.33  per  cent,  of  sucrose,  and  a  gain  of  .80  per  cent, 
of  glucose.  The  purity  was  much  less  after  siloing  in  both  cases.  The 
samples  are  not  so  closely  comparable  as  could  be  desired,  the  first  juice 
being  expressed  by  a  hand-mill,  and  the  second  from  a  large  double 
crusher. 


PRESERVATION  OF  SORGHUM  BY  THE  ADDITION  OF  SUBACETATE  OF 

LEAD. 

A  portion  of  each  of  the  large  samples  of  the  juice  from  buried  canes 
mentioned  above  was  preserved  by  the  addition  of  a  small  quantity  of 
subacetate  of  lead,  aud  sent  to  the  laboratory  at  Washington  for 
analysis.  A  comparison  is  made  of  the  analyses  made  at  this  station 
and  at  Washington  in  the  following  table: 

EARLY  ORANGE. 


i 

Glucose. 

o 
16.80 

Per  cent. 
9.73 

Analysis  of  same  jnioe  made  .it  Depai  bmenl  Laboratoi  \  .u  Wanning- 
ton 

I.  \  I  i:  ORANGE 


S 

Glm  one. 

Airiivsjs  of  juice  iii  lie  at  the  Sterling  81  ttlon 

° 
10  -'o 

• 

▲.nalyeiaof  name  jnioe  niade  at  Department  Laboratory  In  Wanning 

ton 

94 

The  analysis  at  Washington  was  made  seven  days  after  tbe  juice  had 
been  expressed,  but  the  two  analyses  agree  very  closely,  and  show  that 
the  juice  had  not  suffered  the  slightest  deterioration.  It  is  interesting 
to  know  that  sorghum  juice  can  be  preserved  for  so  long  a  time  by  lead, 
and  it  may  prove  useful  in  sending  samples  some  distance  for  analysis. 
We  have  often  received  at  this  station  samples  of  cane  for  analysis,  sent 
by  express  from  remote  points.  Such  samples  are  generally  so  much  de- 
teriorated by  the  time  they  arrive,  that  an  analysis  gives  but  slight  indi- 
cation of  their  quality.  Where  access  can  be  had  to  a  mill,  it  would  be 
much  better  to  express  the  juice  from  a  considerable  quantity  of  the 
cane  to  be  tested;  collect  and  mix  in  a  common  receptacle;  add  a  small 
quantity  of  subacetate  of  lead  to  a  definite  volume  of  the  juice,  and  send 
to  the  laboratory  by  express.  A  sufficient  quantity  of  the  prepared 
solution  of  subacetate  of  lead  can  easily  be  furnished  on  application 
by  any  laboratory  equipped  for  sugar  work. 

EFFECT  OF  RAIN  ON  THE  JUICE  CONTENT  OF  SORGHUM. 

The  analyses  of  Dr.  Collier,  in  1883,  showed  that  three  days'  heavy 
rain,  after  a  period  of  drouth,  caused  a  loss  of  over  3  per  cent,  of  sugar 
in  sorghum  canes.  In  the  work  here  this  season  it  was  noticed  that, 
after  a  week  of  almost  continuous  rain,  the  analyses  of  the  varieties 
sampled  during  this  period  were  lowered.  As  the  analyses  are  based 
upon  the  juice,  and  not  directly  on  the  care,  it  would  seem  possible 
that  this  apparent  loss  was  due  simply  to  a  dilution  of  the  juice  con- 
tent of  the  canes. 

A  beginning  was  made  at  this  station  the  past  season  to  determine 
the  content  of  marc  in  the  different  varieties,  but  on  account  of  press 
of  work  and  lack  of  assistance  it  could  not  be  carried  out.  The  follow- 
ing determination  would  show  that  considerable  range  in  juice  content 
might  be  found  in  such  an  investigation: 

Per  cent. 

Marc  in  caiio  from  plot  of  a  non-saccharine  sordini  in 27.65 

Marc  in  cane  from  plot  No.  258  (sorghum  bicolor) 11.  46 

The  non  saccharine  varieties  are  as  a  rule  inclined  to  be  pithy  and 
dry,  and  it  is  not  likely  that  saccharine  canes  would  show  nearly  so 
high  a  content  of  marc  as  the  lion-saccharine  sample  above. 

LARGE  SEED  HEADS  INDICATIVE  OP  SMALL  SUGAR  CONTENT  IN 

OANES. 

It  was  observed  and  noted  by  us  last  year  that  in  selecting  canes  by 
analysis  those  which  were  of  extra  high  percentage  of  sugar  had  small 

seed  heads.    This  year's  work  has  confirmed  this  observation,  and  it 

can  almost  he  laid  <lo\vn  as  an  established  rule  that  individual  canes 
having  larger  seed  heads  than  their  fellows  have  also  a  low  content  of 
sugar,  and  that  varieties  producing  a  large  yield  of  seed  do  not  show 
as  good  average  analyses  as  varieties  with  small  seed  heads.    It  was 


95 

also  observed  this  season  that  in  the  plots  which  were  planted  with 
seed  from  a  single  cane  of  extra  quality  the  canes  as  a  rule  had  also 
inherited  small  seed  heads,  in  some  cases  not  yielding  half  the  usual 
amount  of  seed.     There  were,  however,  some  exceptions  to  this  rule. 

In  the  absence  of  better  means  of  selection  it  would  seem  better  for 
the  sorghum-grower  to  reverse  the  usual  custom  of  selecting  large  and 
fiue  heads  for  eeed,  and  select  rather  good-sized  canes  which  have 
small  seed  heads. 

It  is  probable  that  where  improved  varieties  of  sorghum  have  been 
produced  sorghum  will  be  more  a  sugar-produciug  plant,  and  less  a 
grain  producing  or  cereal  plaut. 

DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN  VARIETIES  IN  RESPECT   TO   THE  LENGTH  OF 
TIME   THEY  RETAIN   THEIR   MAXIMUM   OF   SUGAR. 

It  was  said  ay  M.  Hardy,  director  of  the  Central  Government  Gardens 
at  Hamma  in  Algeria,  that  sorghum  canes  remained  standing  iu  the 
fields  for  months  after  maturity  without  loss  of  sugar.  M.  Bourdais,  of 
Constantiue,  Algeria,  also  observed  tbat  sorghum  canes  long  retained 
their  value,  and  the  same  was  said  of  sorghum  by  M.  Balguerie,  of  Gua- 
daloupe.  It  will  be  observed  that  some  new  varieties  in  the  experi- 
mental field  retained  their  maximum  sugar  content  much  longer  than 
is  usual  with  the  ordinary  varieties.  Whether  this  is  due  to  a  very  slow 
ripening  of  the  seed  in  such  varieties  and  consequent  gradual  storage 
of  the  sugar,  or  to  an  inertia  of  cell  growth  and  consequent  gradual  re- 
absorption  of  the  sugar,  or  to  some  other  cause,  are  questions  that  can 
not  be  answered  in  the  state  of  our  present  knowledge  of  the  physiology 
of  sorghum  cane;  but  these  differences  seem  to  be  quite  constant. 

The  Early  Amber  and  the  White  African,  for  instance,  deteriorate 
rapidly.  The  Link's  Hybrid  and  some  others  are  much  more  durable 
in  quality,  and  it  is  possible  that  still  more  durable  varieties  may  be 
found. 

It  is  evident  that  a  variety  which  long  retains  its  sugar  would  greatly  as- 
sist the  cane  grower  and  the  sugar  manufacturer,  for  it  allows  longer  time 
for  working  the  crop.  It  has  also  a  very  great  advantage  in  that  it  allows 
all  the  canes  to  ripen  before  any  deteriorate.  In  selecting  a  variety  this 
point  should  be  considered.  As  no  one  variety  of  sorghum  is  so  durable 
in  sugar  content  that  a  single  planting  will  furnish  cane  for  the  entire 
season,  it  is  necessary  to  plant  varieties  which  mature  at  different  times, 
or  to  make  successive  plantings  of  one  variety.  With  late  maturing 
varieties  successive  plantings  are  not  profitable,  for  these  varieties  re- 
quire the  entire  growing  seaxm  to  attain  their  maximum  sugar  con t ent. 
It  is  a  problem  of  »o  little  difficulty  for  the  sugar  grower  to  arrange  the 

planting  of  varieties  Or  to  proportion  RUCOes  ive  plantings  80  that  the 
canes  will  attain  t  heir  maximum  of  sugar  in  sullicient  hut  not  in  exee»i\  e 
quantities  to  make  a  long,  continuous  run  of  the  factory. 

It  will  probably  be  found  best  to  plant  in  addition  to  the  usual  early 


96 

and  late  varieties  a  medium  maturing  variety,  which  will  come  in  be- 
tween the  early  and  the  late,  and  not  only  fill  the  gap  between  them, 
but  also  guard  against  a  heavy  loss  of  cane  from  a  very  early  or  very 
late  season. 

GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  WORK  DONE    THE  PRESENT  SEASON 

AT  THIS  STATION. 

Four  hundred  and  four  separate  plots  were  planted  this  season  with 
seeds  of  numerous  varieties  of  sorghum,  with  seeds  of  selections  made 
last  season,  and  with  crosses.  Theexperimental  field  comprised  about  39 
acres,  being  the  same  ground  that  was  used  in  last  years  work.  About 
100  separate  plots  were  planted  in  seed  selections  from  canes  of  unusual 
quality,  or  from  canes  of  unusual  type  ;  about  100  separate  plots  were 
planted  in  seeds  taken  from  crossed  canes,  and  about  2u0  separate  plots 
were  planted  in  seeds  of  the  varieties  of  sorghum. 

The  planting  began  April  22,  and  was  continued  until  July  13.  The 
seeds  were  planted  by  hand,  covered  uniformly  with  soil  to  a  depth  of 
1  inch  -  the  planting  was  done  in  moist  soil,  following  the  plow  closely  ; 
no  thinning  out  of  plants  was  done,  and  the  stand  of  cane  was  almost 
perfect,  except  in  a  few  plots  in  which  from  unknown  causes  seed  which 
was  apparently  perfect  failed  to  grow.  The  cultivation  was  deep  and 
close  while  the  plants  were  small;  then  deep  cultivation  was  only  done 
in  the  middle  of  each  row,  and  when  the  fibrous  roots  extended,  the 
cultivation  was  finished  with  a  one  horse  harrow  having  many  short 
teeth,  and  having  the  width  adjusted,  so  as  to  take  all  the  surface  in  the 
space  between  two  rows  of  cane;  the  surface  soil  was  thus  harrowed 
once  each  week  to  a  depth  of  1  inch  after  the  plants  became  large,  until 
the  canes  were  10  to  12  feet  high. 

Some  plots  were  washed  out  by  flooding  rains  in  the  early  spring, 
some  were  destroyed  by  chinch-bugs  from  an  adjoining  wheat  field,  and 
sonic  were  blown  down  by  a  wind  storm  in  August,  but  the  average 
yield  of  cane  was  very  large. 

The  general  plan  of  the  analytical  work  was  essentially  the  same  a3 
last  year,  which  was  fully  described  in  Bulletin  No.  20. 

About  1,500  complete  analyses  were  made  from  the  different  plots  to 
determine  the  value  of  each  as  a  whole.  About  1,000  polarizations 
were  made  of  single  canes  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  seed  from  those 
of  high  sugar  content.  About  7,000  select  ions  of  seed  heads  were  made 
by  the  saccharometer  alone,  of  cam's  whose  juice  bad  unusual  density. 
This  station  has  sent  in  to  the   Department    live  tons  of  sorghum  svvdy 

consisting  of  average  seed  from  the  genera]  lot  of  ihe  different  varieties, 
and  8,600  single  seed  beads.    The  latter  are  carefully  preserved,  each 

being  tied  up  Separately  in  a  paper  bag,  and  labelled  with  the  name  of 
the  variety  and  Dumber  of  the  plot  from  which  it  was  taken,  and  the 
analysis  Of  its  parent  Cane.  Some  of  these  pedigreed  svvd  heads  will  be 
retained  by  the  Department    for  its  own   use  in  case  this  work  is  con- 


97 


tinned  nnder  its  supervision,  and  the  rest  will  be  distributed  amongst 
the  State  experiment  stations,  sorghum  sugar  factories,  and  others  in- 
terested in  the  improvement  of  the  sorghum  plant. 

RESULTS  OF  ANALYSIS. 

Owing  to  the  limited  space  allowed  for  printing,  it  was  found  neces- 
sary to  greatly  curtail  the  quantity  of  analytical  data  to  be  published 
in  this  report.  The  following  tables  therefore  represent  only  a  small 
fraction  of  the  work  performed.  Only  one  plot  of  each  important  va- 
riety is  represented  in  the  tables,  and  the  plots  of  less  promising 
and  unnamed  varieties  are  cut  out,  together  with  those  of  all  except 
the  most  promising  crosses  and  variations.  All  the  analytical  work 
has  been  tabulated,  however,  and  wiil  be  preserved  at  the  Department 
for  reference,  in  order  to  be  able  to  trace  the  history  of  either  varieties, 
or  individual  cane  seed  selections.  Only  analyses  of  average  samples 
taken  from  the  entire  plot  are  included  in  the  following  tables.  These 
samples  were  taken  in  the  same  way  as  last  year,  except  that  a  few 
analyses  were  made  at  the  end  of  the  season  of  samples  taken  as  fol- 
lows: 

The  near  approach  of  cold  weather  and  one  or  two  heavy  frosts  hav- 
ing indicated  that  the  season  was  at  an  end,  such  plots  as  were  still  in 
good  condition  were  measured,  and  all  the  canes  cut  from  the  measured 
area.  The  sample  of  field  cane  obtained  in  this  way  was  weighed,  and 
from  its  weight  the  equivalent  yield  per  acre  was  estimated;  the  cane 
was  then  topped  and  stripped  and  the  whole  passed  through  the  large 
five-roller  mill  of  the  Sterling  Sirup  Works.  The  juice  was  retained  in 
a  common  receptacle,  and  a  sample  taken  for  analysis.  The  object 
was  to  obtain  a  sample  which  would  correctly  represent  a  large  quan- 
tity of  cane,  and  also  to  see  how  the  juice  would  compare  with  that 
of  small  average  samples  expressed  by  the  hand-  mill.  The  results  show 
very  little  difference,  and  it  is  evident  that  the  extraction  by  the  large 
mill  did  not  differ  greatly  from  that  obtained  by  the  small  mill. 

They  show  alsothat  our  manner  of  sampling  was  accurate,  and  gave 
a  good  average  representation  of  the  entire  plot. 

FOLGER'S  EARLY  VARIETY. 

[Planted  May  4  with  seed  from  a  single  selected  stalk.  This  variety  originated  in  a  selection  of  » 
variation  from  Early  Amber,  inado  by  A.  S.  Folger,  of  Iowa;  the  canes  are  larger  than  Amber,  and 
mature  nearly  as  eaily.J 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date 

Efaof 

analysis. 

Total  m.1 

Saoro— . 

1 

205 

Bent    I 

29 

U    To 

2  11 

Sept  12 

17      I 

11.72 

Sept,  13 

152 

Sept  l* 

17.78 

Lisa 

1   81 

Sept  23 

419 

I  M 

11    07 

it.  i       i 

15  71 

17597— Hill.  2<J- 


98 


LINK'S  11YBRID. 

[Planted  May  3  with  seed  from  a  single  selected  stalk.  This  variety  appears  to  he  one  of  the  heat,  if 
net  the  best  variety  for  sugar  manufacture.  More  attention  has  heen  paid  to  it  this  year  than  to 
any  other,  j 

I  In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

re r  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

154 

Sept.    6 

44 

16  81 

12.45 

.99 

Sept.  20 

321 

17.47 

13.37 

.88 

Sept.  25 

465 

18.76 

13.94 

.69 

Sept.  30 

621 

19.34 

15.15 

.74 

Oct.      4 

790 

19.53 

16.34 

.55 

Oct.    12 

1234 

17.38 

14.58 

.60 

Oct.    22 

1311  |         20.38 

15.83 

.26 

Oct.    26 

1437           16.18 

13.00 

.53 

PLANTERS'  FRIEND. 

[Planted  May  4  with  seed  from  a  single  selected  stalk.  A  large  number  of  plots  was  planted  with  this 
variety  from  single  seed  heads  selected  last  year,  but  very  few  attained  maturity.  Many  plots 
were  blown  down  and  tangled  by  the  wind.] 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
analysis. 

Total  sol 
ids,  Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

186 

Sept.  20 

326 

18.96 

14.07 

.93 

Sept-  23 

412 

18.96 

13.52 

1.92 

Sept.  25 

485 

18.66 

14.  06 

1.70 

Sept  28 

574 

18.81 

13.71 

1.80 

Oct.      2 

701 

19.94 

14.75 

1.67 

Oct,      7 

895 

18  70 

14.26 

1.86 

Oct.    19 

1024 

19.36 

15.  29 

1.68 

Oct.    19 

1269 

17.59 

14.18 

1.11 

Oct,    23 

1318 

20.46 

16.21 

.55 

HONDURAS. 
[Planted  May  6,  from  general  lot  of  seed  from  last  year.] 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot 

O..I. 

No,  of 

analysis. 

Total  BOl- 
lds,  Brix. 

Su<  rose. 

OlaooM. 

Oct.      7 
Oct.    11 
Oct,    25 

910 

117.'. 
1404 

15.  60 
16.00 
15.72 

/'.  r  <:  i,t. 
11.70 
11.09 
13.  a 

Per  cent. 

1.71 
2. 1)6 
1.89 

99 


HONDURAS  (EARLY). 

[Planted  May  1  from  a  single  early-maturing  cane  selected  from  Honduras.    It  is  practically  a  new 

variety,  or  rather  snb variety.] 

[In  the  juice.]  „ 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Percent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

119 

Sept.    4 

21 

13.58 

8.90 

1.54 

Sept,  11 

91 

13.15 

9.01 

1.84 

Sept.  14 

170 

16.58 

11  63 

2.07 

Sept.  17 

227 

14.18 

9.99 

1.34 

Sept.  20 

305 

15.60 

11.59 

1.61 

Sept.  26 

516 

16.88 

11.88 

1.51 

Oct.      2 

692 

18.22 

13.71 

1.09 

Oct.      4 

815 

16.80 

12.62 

1.31 

Oct.      8 

998 

16.74 

12.41 

1.18 

SORGHUM  (BICOLOR). 

[Planted  April  22.  The  same  variety  as  the  unnamed  plots  Nos.  15,  47,  and  52  last  year.  This  variety 
was  remarkable  last  year  for  its  low  glucose  content,  and  this  characteristic  has  remained  constant 
throughout  the  various  plots  grown  this  year.  It  is  possible  that  such  a  variety  could  be  improved 
in  its  sucrose  content  without  the  loss  of  the  good  quality  it  already  possesses  of  a  low  percentage 
of  glucose.  ] 

[Ln  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

70 

Oct.     4 
Oct.    11 
Oct.    19 
Oct.    25 

822 
1185 
1275 
1387 

Per  cent. 
18.95 
19.61 
17.69 
17.81 

Per  eent. 
13.42 
14.45 
12.85 
13.48 

Per  cent. 
.45 
.61 
.66 
.58 

EARLY  ORANGE  (RIO  BLANCO) 

[Planted  April  22  with  seed  obtained  from  Mexico;  good  canes,  apparently  tho  Early  Orange,  but 
the  analyses  are  so  superior  to  those  of  other  plots  that  the  name  sent  with  the  seeds,  "  Rio  Blauco," 
is  retained.] 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Per  cent. 

1 

/' 

107 

Btpi  n 

88 

it  a 

IS.  01 

O.t.        1 

655 

17    -J 

13.44 

1    !»J 

Oct      4 

809 

17.90 

II  t:i 

1.79 

Oct      B 

884 

20.03 

17.  OS 

Oct    U 

1241 

M    -1 

1.43 

o.t.    ^:» 

1388 

18.11 

14.18 

1.40 

100 


EARLY  AMBER. 

[Planted  May  6  with  seed  from  general  lot  of  last  year ;  later  than  usual  in  maturing  and  not  qnite  so 

high  in  analysis  as  last  year.] 

*  [In  the  juice.  1 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

235 

Aug.  30 

3 

16.62 

12.05 

1.53 

Aug.  31 

6 

16.55 

11.45 

1.30 

Sept.    2 

7 

15.93 

11.75 

1.32 

Sept.    3 

15 

15.50 

11.25 

1.23 

Sept.    4 

18 

17.07 

12.65 

1.07 

Sept.    5 

24 

15.  90 

11.90 

1.12 

Sept.    6 

33 

16.60 

12.45 

1.01 

Sept.   7 

82 

16.95 

12.  32 

.93 

Sept.  13 

132 

15.93 

11.85 

.98 

Sept.  16 

]93 

15.48 

11.22 

.84 

Sept.  19 

283 

15.72 

11.89 

1.00 

Sept,  23 

384 

16.42 

11.81 

.94 

LATE  ORANGE. 

[Planted  May  6  with  general  lot  of  last  year's  seed.] 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 

analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

241 

Sept.    9 

70 

15.22 

10.76 

2.  6(5 

Sept.  16 

181 

15.05 

11.17 

2.  21 

Sept,  19 

281 

16.50 

11.90 

2.38 

Sept.  27 

545 

17.96 

14: 05 

1.74 

Oct.      3 

752 

18.20 

14.82 

1.63 

()«t.       7 

923 

18.69 

13.83 

1.53 

Oct.    11 

1173 

20.80 

15.71 

1.92 

Oct.    25 

1407 

17.40 

13.63 

1.43 

CHINESE  IMPIIEE. 

[Planted  April  22  with  seed  received  from  Dr.  Collier.      This  plot  was  not  Chinese  in  type,  contained 
two  distinct  varieties,  one  of  which  may  prove  valuahle.] 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Dat«- 

No.oi 
aual\  lift, 

Total  sol- 
ids,  Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glnooee. 

Per  a  nt 

/\ r  m  nt 

/'.  ;•  r.„( 

14 

Sept.  u 

101 

15.75 

11.37 

.93 

S.-pt.  21 

371 

18.49 

13.95 

.41 

B(  pt.  2 1 

Oct.     i 

412 

IS.  70 

14.00 

.  2."> 

660 

18.06 

18.83 

.83 

Oct.      8 

949 

18.60 

ir».  19 

.37 

Oct.    11 

1IM 

18.90 

14.  24 

.88 

101 


ANALYSES  OF   CROSSES   AND  VARIATIONS. 

Following  are  the  analyses  of  few  of  the  plots  planted  from  crosses  or 
variations  selected  last  year.  While  all  such  plots  were  analyzed  to 
determine  their  value,  no  great  amount  of  work  was  expended  except 
in  cases  where  the  uniformity  of  the  plot  showed  an  established,  or 
nearly  established,  type.  There  were  quite  a  number  of  such  plots,  how- 
ever, which  showed  not  only  an  established  type,  but  also  an  improve- 
ment in  some  directions  over  the  variety  or  varieties  from  which  it  orig- 
inated. Some  showed  remarkable  qualities  on  analysis;  as,  for  example, 
plots  Nos.  291  and  293,  which  gave  some  of  the  highest  individual  cane 
analyses  obtained  this  season.  Many  of  these  crosses  seem  to  be  suffi- 
ciently well  established  in  type  to  justify  their  being  designated  as  new 
varieties,  but  probably  it  will  be  safer  to  grow  them  one  more  year,  at 
least,  from  selected  heads,  to  guard  against  reversion.  From  our  ex- 
perience with  these  crosses  it  would  appear  that  a  variation  or  cross 
can  become  established  in  type  within  three  years  after  its  initial  pro- 
duction ;  that  is,  from  the  time  the  seed  germ  is  impregnated  or  modi  bed. 

All  the  followiug  plots  were  planted  from  single  selected  seed  heads : 

AMBER  AND  ORANGE  CROSS. 

[Planted  May  6.  This  and  three  similar  plot9  were  all  planted  from  single  seed  head9  selected  from 
plot  No.  153  last  year.  This  cross  will  undoubtedly  develop  into  a  valuable  new  variety.  It  is  a 
curious  and  encouraging  fact,  that  tbe  cane  showing  the  higbest  content  of  sucrose  last  yearslmuld 
produce  a  plot  this  year  (No.  293)  from  which  the  highest  individual  cane  analysis  of  this  season  waa 
obtained,  giving  tbe  unprecedented  result  of  20.72  per  cent,  sucrose  in  tbe  juice. J 

(In  tbe  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 

analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Btix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Percent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

253 

Sept.    6 

35 

12.  08 

7.00 

2.  07 

Sept.    9 

CO 

10.71 

7.88 

1.30 

Sept  10 

175 

17.18 

13.51 

1.23 

Sept  L9 

273 

18.87 

14.92 

1.55 

Sept  21 

364 

1-    M 

14.07 

LOS 

Sept.  23 

387 

19.07 

14.1.4 

1.00 

Oct      3 

740 

19  83 

15.  48 

.84 

Oct      7 

907 

is.  38 

10.94 

.77 

Oct    24 

1361 

18.98 

15.  21 

.50 

LINK'S  HVCKII)  AM)  AMBER  OJEEOSS. 

fPlanted  May  3,    Canea  uniform,  good  siaed,  pot  so  tall  as  Link's  Hybrid.] 

[In  tin- juice.] 


Plot 

Date. 

X...  of 
anah  Bis. 

Total  sol 
1 1 1  -   Brix 

Sucroee. 

Glnooae. 

/ 

1 

172 

Sept  12 

110 

l  •  u 

1.  10 

Sepl    it 

17.20 

i  I  t 

Sept  20 

835 

14.03 

1.  12 

Sopl    23 

Jin 

.90 

Sept  28 

169 

,16 

Sept.  30 

it  61 

Oct.       J 

762 

19.  00 

- 

Oct.      8 

10H6 

15.69 

.61 

Oct.    12 

ISM 

18.  30 

.64 

0e4   H 

1312 

1,42 

U.M 

.80 

102 


LINK'S  HYBRID  AND  ORANGE  CROSS. 

[Planted  May  3.     Large  canes,  not  uniform,  revert  to  both  parent  types.] 
[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 

analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

159 

Sept.  20 

322 

15.64 

11.85 

1.76 

Sept.  .5 

488 

17.11 

13.13 

1.18 

Sept.  25 

489 

17.  26 

13.27 

1.30 

Sept.  25 

490 

15.57 

10.18 

2.41 

Sept.  30 

622 

17.34 

12.  70 

1.98 

Oct.      4 

799 

18.60 

13.69 

1.85 

Oct.      9 

1043 

18.40 

14.61 

.95 

Oct.    12 

1217 

18.34 

14.  43 

.78 

Oct.    22 

1295 

18.  20 

13.58 

1.12 

LINK'S  HYBRID  AND  RED  LIBERIAN  CROSS. 

[Planted  May  3.     Uniform  in  type,  strong  and  stocky  canes.] 
[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
analysis. 

Total  sol- 
ids. Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

Percent. 

Per  cent. 

Percent. 

176 

Sept.  12 

118 

14.18 

9  18 

2.70 

Sept.  20 

343 

19.56 

lit.  47 

1.02 

Sept.  23 

421 

19,38 

11.60 

.85 

Oct.    10 

1136 

20.(9 

14.71 

1.26 

Oct.    22 

1300 

20.40 

14.92 

.  55 

VARIATION  OF  LINKS  HYBRID. 

[Planted  May  3.    Short,  stocky   canes,  very  uni  form  in  type,  seem  tube  free  from  faults  of  Liuk'a 
Hybrid.     A  decidedly  good  variation.] 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

171 

Sept,  12 
Sept  20 
Sept.  26 

o.t.    a 

Oof     12 

O.t.     22 

No.  of      Total  sol  - 
analysis,    ids,  Brix 


122 
3:56 
474 
1007 
1237 
L289 


16.14 
18.70 

1 7.  85 

I-  tn 
IS.  (10 
111    CO 


Sucrose. 

Olucose. 

/',  /•  r,  ut 

/'.  rr,  nt 

12    22 

M 

14   r-7 

.84 

13.61 

.71 

it;  :t:» 

.62 

it  .38 

.  r,!> 

15.  12 

88 

103 


SUMMARY   OF   THE  ANALYSES. 

Tn  the  following  table  will  be  found  the  maximum  analysis  attained 
by  each  plot,  as  shown  by  average  samples  taken  from  the  entire  plot. 
This  table  includes  all  the  plots  of  distinct  varieties  which  were  exam- 
ined. 

Maximum  analysis  of  each  variety  in  1889. 


I  Analyses  of  average  samples  of  entire  plot.  J 
[In  the  juice.] 


Variety. 

Plot. 

Date. 

\   No.  of 
Analyses. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Glucose. 

1  Coeff.  of 
1    purity. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Early  Amber 

01 

Oct.      4 

810 

15.38 

12.  67 

1.28 

82.  38 

049 

Oct.      8 

955 

17.18 

12.65 

1.26 

73.63 

050 

Oct.      4 

804 

15.78 

11.99 

1.04 

75.98 

235 

Sept.    6 

33 

16.60 

12.  45 

1.01 

75.00 

Folger's  Early  Variety 

247 

Sept.  30 

594 

15.24 

12.74 

1.53 

83.59 

205 

Oct.      1 

677 

20.  24 

15.71 

1.65 

77.61 

Whiting's  Early  Variety 

379 

Sept.    5 

32 

16.66 

11.75 

1.31 

70.  53 

Early  Tennessee 

245 

Sept.    6 
Oct.      7 

34 

10.98 

8  65 

3.  35 

78.77 

Link's  Hybrid 

244 

921 

19.28 

16.12 

.63 

83!  61 

10 

Oct.    23 

1316 

17.49 

14.06 

.24 

80.39 

116 

Oct.      8 

972 

19.  59 

16.14 

.61 

82.39 

149 

Oct.    22 

1287 

IK  07 

15.29 

.50 

84.61 

150 

Sept.  30 

605 

19.27 

15.76 

.62 

81.78 

153 

Oct.      8 

1001 

20.94 

16.05 

.47 

76.64 

154 

Oct.      4 

790 

19.53 

16.34 

.55 

83.  6G 

155 

Oct.    22 

1296 

17.30 

12.78 

2.02 

73.  62 

162 

Oct.    22 

1204 

19.98 

15.68 

.37 

78.47 

163 

Oct.    22 

1303 

20.58 

15.83 

.48 

76.91 

164 

Oct.      9 

1031 

21.34 

10.  52 

.68 

77.41 

165 

Sept.  25 

479 

19.98 

15.90 

.64 

79.57 

166 

Oct.    22 

1307 

20.  02 

15.58 

.54 

77.82 

Planters'  Friend 

177 

Oct.      9 

1025 

16.  76 

11.  22 

2.24 
1.92 

66.95 
70.77 

180 

Oct.      7 

902 

14!  20 

10!  05 

18L 

Oct.    24 

1350 

14.  34 

8.95 

2.10 

62.  41 

182 

Oct.    24 

1358 

16.44 

11.37 

1.75 

69.10 

1-4 

Oct.    24 

1353 

15,  24 

.    10.29 

2.11 

67.52 

185 

Oct.       5 

705 

16.88 

11.06 

3.34 

i\'<  52 

186 

Oct.    23 

1318 

20.46 

16.21 

.55 

7l».  20 

180 

Oct.    24 

1352 

16.54 

10.  92 

1.95 

60.  02 

189 

Ocl     24 

1351 

17.94 

13  09 

1.09 

72.  96 

190 

Oct    '-'4 

1359 

15.94 

10.76 

1.93 

67.50 

191 

(Jet.    24 

1348 

16.78 

12.17 

1.54 

72.  47 

376 

Oct.    26 

1127 

20.  00 

14.00 

2.36 

70.00 

Honduras 

P36 

Oct.    25 

1404 

15  72 

13.  22 

1.89 

.a 

84.10 
75.  90 

3 

Oct,'    25 

1380 

17!  07 

12!  93 

Honduras  (Rose  de  Senegal) 

103 

Oct    25 

1397 

16.  52 

12.  80 

1.02 

77.  :>o 

Honduras 

105 

Oct.    12 

1214 

17.  54 

12.  77 

1.  60 

888 

1413 

14'.  38 

s!o6 

2^91 

Bandana  (Texas  Red) 

108 

Oct       8 

975 

16.74 

12.67 

1.13 

Honduras 

115 

Oct    12 

1225 

15.42 

9.85 

63.  90 

Honduras  (Early) 

119 

Oct 

002 

13  71 

1.09 

73.  17 

120 

Bept  26 

517 

17.78 

13.  01 

Red  Liberiau 

•J  7 
243 

Oct    11 
Oct     7 

1102 

20.  00 
17.91 

14.90 

1.82 

60.47 

385 

Oct    14 

1260 

17.57 

13.32 

2.81 

75  31 

124 

Oct     5 

17.02 

12.  14 

4   14 

125 

h72 

79.  04 

LM 

Oct     D 

70.  07 

127 

( »,  t 

13.97 

Oct    28 

128 

Oct    28 

132  J 

18.51 

130 

Oot    21 

1820 

12  48 

in 

Oct    28 

1820 

Oct    28 

1337 

17.84 

71   44 

135 

Oct    28 

1-  11 

i  r, 

Oot    l" 

LM 

Oct    28 

17.54 

12.  11 

6:<  21 

189 

<  ».  i  .      | 

3.  12 

140 

141 

Oct    l" 
Oot    i" 

i  i  10 

M  08 

141 

11    10 

u. 

1 

3.08 

68.42 

104 

Maximum  analysis  of  each  variety  in  1839 — Continued. 


Variety . 

Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
Analyses. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose. 

Gluscose. 

Coeff.  of 
purity. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Percent. 

Red  Liberian 

374 

Oct.    26 

1432 

22.34 

14.67 

2.94 

65.67 

375 

Oct.    28 

1440 

10.80 

10.86 

3.59 

64.04 

144 

Oct.    23 

1331 

18.14 

13. 62 

1.78 

75.08 

Sorghum  (Bi-color) 

51 

Oct.    11 

1178 

19.60 

14.  11 

.76 

71.99 

70 

Oct.    11 

1185 

19.61 

14.45 

.61 

73.69 

74 

Oct.     1 

653 

17.30 

13.47 

1.01 

77.86 

231 

Oct.    11 

1172 

19.  20 

13.42 

.76 

69.89 

258 

Oct.     7 

903 

16.  20 

13.77 

.64 

85.00 

259 

Oct.     7 

920 

19.  29  , 

13.56 

.81 

70.29 

394 

Oct.     5 

837 

18.60 

13.78 

.74 

74  09 

395 

Oct.    26 

1452 

.      15.90 

10.60 

1.27 

66,67 

396 

Oct.    26 

1448 

18.10 

12.70 

1.15 

70.16 

261 

Oct.      3 

739 

17.07 

12.11 

1.03 

70.  94 

Kansas  Orange 

1 

Oct.      8 

959 

19.  40 

15.39 

.61 

79.  33 

2 

Oct!    11 

1197 

18.49 

14.98 

.56 

80.95 

15 

Sept.  24 

443 

16.80 

13.20 

1.19 

78  60 

240 

Sept.    9 

73 

15.28 

11.40 

1.52 

75.60 

390 

Oct.    26 

1443 

17.64 

13.70 

.74 

77.66 

200 

Oct.      1 

679 

19.76 

14.57 

1.70 

78.79 

Early  Orange 

242 

Oct.      3 

750 

16.50 

12.34 

2.23 

74.  78 

239 

Oct.      7 

918 

19.40 

14.65 

2.20 

75.52 

382 

Oct.      5 

835 

20.04 

14.42 

2.14 

71.95 

207 

Sept.  23 

423 

18.16 

14.76 

3.21 

81.27 

Early  Orange  (Rio  Blanco) . . 

107 

Oct.      5 

884 

20.03 

17.05 

1.69 

85.12 

New* Orange  (Neeazana) 

193 

Oct,      9 

1085 

19.89 

14.21 

2.84 

71.44 

216 

Oct.      7 

927 

19.59 

14.22 

2.03 

72.59 

238 

Oct.      3 

745 

19.20 

14.91 

1.75 

77.  65 

12 

Oct.      8 

958 

20.20 

14.85 

1.65 

73.  51 

Late  Orange 

241 

Oct     11 

1173 

20.80 

15.71 

1.92 

75.53 

386 

Oct.      5 

832 

18.  21 

14.70 

2.18 

81.06 

Improved  Orange - 

370 

Oct,      3 
Oct.      5 

770 

20.06 

14.20 

3.08 

70.78     ! 

371 

842 

16.40 

12.79 

2.18 

77.98     I 

213 

Sept.  30 

631 

19.51 

14.!>4 

2.34 

76.  57 

204 

Oct.    26 

1468 

18.84 

IS.  76 

2.23 

73.  03 

Chinese 

39 

58 

Oct.      4 
Oct.      1 

819 
650 

17.40 
16.  22 

13.41 

13.48 

1.13 
1.69 

77.06     1 
83.11     , 

76 

Oct.      8 

990 

14.54 

12.00 

1.33 

82. 53     ! 

79 

Oct.      8 

981 

17.14 

13.33 

1.49 

77.77     i 

Chinese  (Pootung) 

80 

Oct.    12 

1213 

16.44 

13.47 

1.06 

81.94 

Chinese 

81 
223 

Oct.     8 
Oct,      3 

986 
761 

17.50 
15.20 

13.45 
10.99 

1.03 
2.48 

76.  88 

72.  30 

229 

Oct.    27 

555 

10.57 

11.01 

1.91 

66.45 

Chinese  (Shaw's variety) 

260 

Sept.  23 

393 

15.  80 

12.58 

2.58 

79.  62 

Chinese  (Jyangentombi) 

35 

Oct.      1 

651 

18.  20 

14.63 

.93 

mi.  39 

Chinese  (Black  Sorghum)    .. 

9 

Oct.      8 

957 

18.  20 

18.82 

1.55 

73.  19 

Chinese 

199 

254 

31 

Sept.  23 
Oct.      7 
Oct.      1 

420 
919 

662 

17.  54 
20.  89 
21.22 

12.  22 
16.39 
16.77 

2.  75 
.81 
.54 

69.  67 

78.46 
79.03 

Undendebule 

397 

Oct.    12 

1210 

1!).  14 

17.12 

.72 

392 

Oct.    11 

1164 

18.  60 

14.07 

1.42 

22.  28 

White  India 

28 

Oct.    19 

1276 

14.18 

11.62 

1.49 

81.94 

White    India  (White  Mam- 

mot  h)    

401 
34 

aae 

Oct.    20 
Oct.      8 
o,  t.      B 

1398 
99 : 
758 

16  00 
L9.34 
16.80 

10.95 
14.07 
12.  83 

2.11 
1.97 
2.  92 

OS.  44 

72.  7.r. 

73.  39 

Ubehlana 

378 

Oct.    10 

1,114 

19.68 

3.64 

68.  54 

400 

Oct    19 

Oct.    26 
Sept  L9 

Sept.  28 
Oct.      6 

1,  273 

11.  4C 

72.  62 

Texas  Honey  Drip 

368 
251 
287 
LOS 

IJ428 

279 
899 

877 

21.30 
16.30 

lit.  29 
19.  76 

it;  86 
10  05 
13.71 

l.v  16 

'"•j."rj" 

2. 06 

1.09 

.61 

70.  70 
65.  68 

71.07 
78.28 

Price's  \  •  .\  Hybrid 

White  A  ti  lc  in 

Blaoli   African . 

White  Enfield 

280 
18 
88 
87 

Ml 
192 
89 

2J 

14 
16 

on.    24 

Oct.       4 
IM       11 
Oct       4 

Oct    L2 
Oct     7 
Sept  28 
Oct      l 
Oot     B 
Oct.      4 

1,  855 
823 

1,  196 
821 

1,211 
OOQ 

878 
848 

949 
820 

IT.  10 
19.15 
17.  18 
17.  12 
i;  84 
10  86 

L8  98 

19.97 

12.51 

14.  :m 

12.  17 
12  07 

1".  11 

13.89 
12.  17 

16,  l'.' 
14.67 

.  63 

.47 

1.62 

.80 

1.18 

4.93 

.  58 

.81 

.37 

.70 

73.  16 

7."-.  1  9 
70.84 
73.81 

till.  62 
22.  68 
74.43 
76.  39 

hi.  07 
73.46 

Ufatane    

ITbol  ana    

DenoeDinki    

Soi  _'l'iim  ( I'.leu) 

i  1  ;.■•■-.  nook 

1  '  l.illiani-    

Un^atiiliaut'.a 

ChiucHe  1  oopbee 

Iowa  Bad  1  op  

105 


UNNAMED  VARIETIES. 

[Analyses  of  average  sample  of  entire  plot.] 
[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 

anaylsea. 

Total  sol- 
ids, Brix. 

Sucrose 

Glucose 

Co-effi- 
cient of 
purity. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

Per  cent. 

23 

Oct. 

11 

1,183 

18.80 

13.40 

1.90 

71.28 

257 

Sept 

27 

553 

17.37 

12.60 

.81 

72.54 

30 

Oct. 

26 

1,454 

12.70 

5.94 

1.79 

46.77 

225 

Oct. 

3 

753 

13.60 

8.64 

2.08 

63.53 

404 

Oct. 

26 

1,455 

15.60 

9.30 

1.71 

59.62 

389 

Oct. 

11 

1,156 

17.  54 

11.27 

2.96 

64  25 

227 

Oct. 

11 

1,174 

18.20 

11.92 

2.  65 

65.49 

221 

Oct. 

7 

924 

17.28 

12.94 

1.24 

74.88 

224 

Oct. 

7 

929 

16.08 

10.66 

2.40 

66.29 

228 

Oct. 

7 

936 

19.81 

14.06 

1.90 

70.97 

380 

Oct. 

10 

1,144 

18.69 

11.61 

3.26 

62.12 

391 

Oct. 

11 

1,157 

16.64 

10.90 

1.52 

65.51 

248 

Oct. 

11 

1,165 

16.90 

11.93 

1.10 

70.59 

373 

Oct. 

26 

1,434 

20.56 

14.37 

2.70 

69.89 

218 

Oct. 

1 

647 

16.23 

11.57 

.94 

71.29 

234 

Oct. 

7 

932 

18.61 

14.  14 

1.33 

70.61 

250 

Oct. 

24 

1,364 

17.80 

14.33 

.74 

80.  51 

393 

Oct. 

11 

1,159 

19.14 

14.86 

1.01 

77.64 

From  tlie  above  table  the  following  list  has  been  taken  of  ten  varie- 
ties giving  the  best  results  in  the  three  essential  points  of  high  sucrose, 
low  glucose,  and  high  purity.1 

List  of  ten  varieties  giving  best  results  in  1889. 
[In  the  juice.] 


Xo. 

Varieties. 

Suc- 
rose- 

No. 

Varieties. 

Glu- 
cose. 

No. 

Varieties. 

Co-effi- 
cient of 
purity. 

2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

7 

H 
9 

u 

Undendebiile 

Early  Orauge 

Link's  Hybrid 

Texas  Honey  Drip 
Planter1!  Friend  . . 
Poleer'a  Early  Va- 
riety. 

Late  Orange  

Black  African 

K.i n^.i-  Orange  — 
Chinese  Iniphee ... 

V.r  ct. 
17.  12 
17.05 
16.52 
16.35 
16.21 
15.71 

15.  71 
15.46 

15.  39 

16.  19 

1 
2 
3 

i 

G 

7 
8 
9 
10 

Link's  Hybrid 

Chinese  Iniphee... 

Per  ct. 
.24 
.37 
.47 
.51 
.  58 
.53 

.54 
.  56 

.56 

.61 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 

7 
8 
9 

10 

Undendehule 

Early  Orange 

Sorghum  (Bicolor). 

Link's  II\  hrid 

Honduras     

Folger'i  Early  Va- 
riety. 

89.  45 
1-5.12 
86.  oo 
84.61 

K4.  10 

88.  1 1 

- 

Black  African 

White  Enfield 

Undendebiile 

Planter's  Friend. . . 

Kan  MB  <  (range 

Sorghum  (Bicolor). 

Early  Amber 

White  India 

<  'him  Be  Empbee. . 

From  a  comparison  of  the  records  made  by  tin4  different  varieties 
this  year  and  last,  the  following  points  will  be  noticed  : 

(1)  The  ten  varieties  giving  the  best  results  in  sucrose  content  in  1839 
ranged  from  17  to  I5per  cent, all  being  above  the  hitter  Bgnre;  in 
1888  the  range  was  from  15  (circa)  to  L3  per  cent.,  a  differeuee  of  just 

about  2  per  cent,  between  the  two  seasons. 

(2)  The  ten  varieties  giving  the  lowest  contents  of  glacoee  in  1889, 

from  ,25  to .00  per  cent  ;  in  1888  the  range  was  from  ,00  to  1  per  cent., 
a  difference  of  about  .40  per  cent. 


»  Bull.  20,  p.  126. 


106 

(3)  The  ten  varieties  giving  the  highest  purities  in  1888  ranged  from 
76  to  72 ;  in  1889  from  §9  to  82,  a  difference  of  over  10  points. 

The  superior  quality  of  the  canes  this  year  as  compared  with  last  is 
principally  due,  as  already  explained,  to  the  fact  that  the  growing 
season  was  much  better  this  year. 

(4)  The  two  tables  giving  the  list  of  ten  varieties  showing  best  re- 


of  these,  nine  varieties 


are 


suits  comprise  eighteen    varieties  each 

found  in  both  tables,  that  is  to  say,  made  a  good  showing  in  at  least 

one  essential  for  both  years.     Following  is  the  list: 


List  of  nine  varieties  giving  good  results  in  at  least  one  essential  for  two  yeai'8. 


Undendebule. 
Link's  Hybrid. 
Early  OraDge. 


Kansas  Orange. 
Sorghum  Bicolor. 
Chinese. 


Early  Amber. 
White  Indian. 
Planter's  Friend. 


Of  the  remaining  twenty-seven  varieties  which  made  a  showing  in  but 
one  year  only,  some  were  new  this  year,  and  some  were  handicapped  by 
the  late  season. 

(5)  Link's  Hybrid  would  seem  to  be  entitled  to  the  first  place  as  an 
"all-around"  good  variety,  having  made  a  remarkable  record  in  all  three 
essentials  for  two  years.  Undendebule  comes  next,  having  made  a 
record  last  year  for  low  glucose  and  high  purity,  and  this  year  obtaining 
a  record  for  low  glucose  and  heading  the  list  in  the  other  essentials.  Red 
Liberian  and  Plot  No.  14,  which  made  such  a  good  showing  last  year, 
do  not  appear  amongst  the  first  ten  this  year  at  all,  although  the  sucrose 
content  of  both  was  greater  this  year  than  last ;  the  late  season  was 
unfavorable  to  them. 

The  followingtable  gives  the  maximum  seed  selection  from  each  plot; 
it  will  be  seen  that  as  a  rule  the  plot  which  gave  the  highest  average 
analysis  of  its  variety,  gives  also  the  highest  individual  cane  analysis: 


Maximum  analysis  of  selected  canes  from  each  variety. 

[Analjses  of  single  stalk  seed  selections.  1 

[In  tbe  juice.] 


Variety. 


K;nl\  Amber 

Poleer'a  ESai  l.v  \ 

I. ml.  |   II  \  lil  id '.. 


Planter's  Frii  n<l 


Plot 


235 
206 

■^u 
ii 

Lie 

149 
160 
168 

ir»4 
162 
163 

if,  i 
L66 
166 

1H0 


Date. 


Sept. 

Bept 

Oct 

Oct 

Oot 

Oct. 

Oot 

Oct. 
Oct. 

Oot 
Sept 

Oct. 

Sept 

Ool 

Oot 


No.   01 

analyses 


1,140 
11,667 
13,  626 
18,  161 
12.815 

12,816 

12,050 

12,  s.r>H 
12,715 
11,  KM 
11,517 
11,852 
11.  105 
11,927 


Total  BOl 
ids,  Hiix. 


2l>.  47 
21  B6 
21.88 
•_-:!.  84 
•j I.  so 
88.81 
28.43 
23.  88 
28.  lit 

112.  85 

23.  :;4 
81.80 
28.  60 
22.  58 


Sucrose.     GlaCOSO 


10.  48 
16.72 
17.24 
18.88 
17.12 
17. 114 
1 ,  08 
is  ..,; 
17.  70 
17.  4:i 
17.81 
17.60 
18.51 
1(1.75 


/',  1 


«•-  nt. 
.1)0 
.70 


Co  effi- 
cient <'t 
Parity. 


7«t.  28 
80.50 
78  81 

7H.  !>7 
81.88 

7s.  53 
80.  77 
70.  (il 
79.  7t! 
7.r..  CO 
77  88 
70. 7:1 
BO  in 
78.  70 
74.37 


107 


Maximum  analysis  of  selected  canes  from  each  variety— Continued. 


Variety. 


Ked  Liberian . 


Sorghum  (tricolor) 


Kansas  Orange 

Early  Orange 

Early  Orange  (Rio-Bianco) 
New  Orange  (Neeazana)  . . 

Late  Orange 

Improved  Orange 

Chinese 

Chinese  (Jyangenbombi) . . 
Undendebule 

Ubehlana 

White  African 

Black  African 

Ufatane 

Chinese  Imphee 

Iowa  Ked  top 


Plot. 

Date. 

No.  of 
aualyses. 

125 

Oct.    11 

13,  259 

126 

Oct.    11 

13,  247 

127 

Oct.    11 

13,  298 

128 

Oct.    11 

13,  301 

129 

Sept.  21 

13,  623 

130 

Oct.    21 

13,  645 

134 

Oct.    21 

13,  632 

135 

Oct.    21 

13,  629 

138 

Oct.    21 

13,  655 

139 

Oct.    21 

13,  683 

140 

Oct.    21 

13,  698 

141 

Oct.    22 

13,721 

142 

Oct.    21 

13,689 

51 

Oct.     4 

12,  299 

70 

Oct.      4 

12,304 

231 

Oct.      5 

12,334 

258 

Oct.      4 

12,  281 

259 

Oct.      4 

12,  279 

394 

Oct.    12 

13,  429 

396 

Oct.    23 

13, 873 

261 

Oct.      5 

12,  395 

200 

Oct.      2 

11,  893 

239 

Oct-      7 

12,  512 

107 

Oct.      7 

12,  550 

193 

Sept.  27 

11,  45G 

216 

Oct.    10 

13,  167 

12 

Sept,  26 

11,442 

241 

Oct.      5 

12,451 

370 

Oct.    12 

13,  373 

213 

Sept,  28 

11,577 

39 

Oct.    24 

13,  947 

35 

Oct.    25 

13,  957 

254 

Oct.      2 

11. '.171 

31 

Oct,      2 

12,  007 

397 

Oct.    14 

13.460 

392 

Oct.    23 

13,778 

34 

Oct.    25 

13.901 

226 

Oct.    26 

14,  ir.o 

237 

Sept.  26 

11,448 

109 

Sept,  20 

11,  237 

18 

Oct,    12 

13,  37!) 

14 

Sept.  25 

11,  369 

16 

Sept.  26 

11,434 

'    Co-effi- 
ng,  £,£     Sucrose.     Glucose,     cient  of 
Purity. 


ids,  Brix 


Per  cent. 
21.50 

21.  03 
21.91 
21.96 
19.63 
20.60 
19.76 
20.63 
20.40 
20.33 
20.63 
21  18 
20.33 
21.71 
20.36 
20.18 
20.  61 
21.44 
19.62 
19.48 
22.90 
21.49 
33.  63 

22.  90 
20.  62 
21.83 
22.09 
21.83 
22.  54 

20.  55 

19.  15 
19.98 
24.39 
25.  07 
20.16 
18.71 
19.98 
18.42 
19.76 

21.  90 
21.30 
22.41 

20.  29 


59 


.  52 


Percent.  \  Percent 

15.61  ' 

15.35      

15.61 
16.20 
14.  72 
14.  i)0 

13. 76  ; 

14.04 
13.97 
14.07 

13.  99 
14.90 
14.02 
15.44 
15.11 

14.  85 
14.69 

15.  59 
15.03 
14.93 

16.  52 
16.50 
17.4:! 

17.  75 
17.07 
15.80 

16.  51 

17.  34 
15.80 
16.18 
14.00 
14.71 
19.81 
19.58 
16.16 
13.96 
14.81 
12.96 
13.  73 
16.70 
16.07 
17.  15 
15.  80 


1.41 


2.21 


71 


72.  40 

72.  99 
71.24 

73.  77 
74.98 
72.  33 
69.  63 

67.  05 
68.48 

69.  20 
67.81 

70.  63 

68.  96 
71.11 
74.36 
73.58 
71.27 
72.  71 
76.  60 
76.83 

72.  13 
76.77 

73.  76 
77.51 
82.  77 

72.  37 
7  4.73 
79.43 
70.  09 
78.  73 

73.  10 
73.  62 
81.22 
78.10 
80.15 
74.61 
74.12 
70.  35 
69.49 
76.  25 

75.  1 l 

76.  52 
78.16 


Maximum  analysis  of  unnamed  varieties. 

[Analyses  of  single  stalk  seed  selections.] 

UNNAMED   VARIETIES. 

[In  the  juice. 1 


Plot. 

Ditfi      '     Noof      Total  M.l- 
analyses,    ids,  Bl  Is 

• 

Qlnooae. 

Co-elll- 
oienl  of 
Purity. 

228 
373 

21K 
250 

393 

Oct.    26 
Oct.    12 
Oot       7 

(».  t.       7 

Oot    M 

14.154 
13,348 
13,518 

12,611 
13,  779 

Percent. 

lo  :;•_' 

23.71 
2o.43 

1 

16.  09 
18,0  ; 
13  M 

■ 

1 

.77 
.91 

From  the  above  table  the  following  list  has  been  prepared,  giving 
the  ten  varieties  showing  the  highest  results  in  sucrose  from  analyses 

of  single  selected  stalks.     It  will  be  seen  thai  Dearly  the  same  varieties 
are  comprised  in  it  as  those  contained  in  the  table  giving  the  ten  best 

varieties  of  sucrose  content  from  analyses  of  average  samples,  and  the 
order  is  also  about  the  same. 


108 

List  of  ten  varieties  giving  best  results  based  on  analyses  of  single  selected  stalh 

[In  the  juice.] 


Variety. 

Sucrose. 

Variety. 

1 

Sucrose. 

Per  cent. 
19.81 

Per  cent. 
17.15 
17.07 
16.99 
16.75 
10.  70 

2.  Link's  Hybrid 

18.89 
18.03 
17.75 
17.34 

3.  Plot  373 

8.  Plot  250  ...   

9.  Planter's  Friend 

10.  Black  African 

5.  LateOrange 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  five  plots  of  crosses  giving  the  highest  su- 
crose content  for  the  season: 

[In  the  juice.] 


Plot. 

Variety. 

Sucrose. 

293 
318 
111 
171 
313 

Per  cent. 
16.94 
16.70 
16.51 
16.35 
15.85 

GENERAL   CONCLUSIONS. 

In  summing  up  the  results  of  two  seasons  of  experimental  work  in 
improving  sorghum,  it  may  be  said  that  where  crossing  of  varieties  and 
subvarieties  has  been  excluded,  it  appears  to  inherit  the  qualities  and 
even  the  peculiarities  of  the  parent  as  closely  as  other  plants. 

Some  of  the  new  varieties  have  shown  a  high  percentage  of  sugar  for 
two  seasons. 

Some  of  the  new  varieties  tested  have  shown  for  two  seasons  a  much 
lower  percentage  of  uncrystallizable  sugar  than  the  ordinary  varieties. 

Some  of  the  varieties  have  retained  a  high  percentage  of  sugar  for 
from  thirty  to  forty-eight  days. 

It  appears  that  much  of  the  extreme  variableness  which  has  been 
attributed  to  the  sorghum  plant  is  caused  by  differences  in  time  of  ma- 
turing in  the  canes,  and  it  appears  that  these  differences  may  bo  dimin- 
ished by  "  family  breeding,"  that  is,  separate  planting  of  selected  seed, 
and  also  by  such  methods  of  planting  and  of  cultivation  as  will  cause 
all  the  canes  to  mature  before  any  deteriorate. 

It  appears  that  valuable  new  varieties  may  be  produced  by  crossing 
two  good  varieties,  and  that  new  varieties  having  distinct  and  uniform 
characters  can  be  produced  by  selecting  variations  from  ordinary  types. 

It  appears  that  early  maturing  subvarieties  may  be  produced  from 
varieties  which  mature  too  late  by  selecting  seed  from  tin'  first  matur- 
ing canes  of  those  varieties. 

While  the  results  obtained  by  a  fust  selection  in  one  season  can  not 
not  he  regarded  as  conclusive,  yet  it  appears  that  improved  varieties 
of  sorghum  which  will  yield  more  sugar  than  the  best  of  the  present 
varieties  may  be  created  by  continued  selection  of  seed  from  the  canes 
which  yield  most  sugar. 


INDEX. 


A. 

Page. 

Agricultural  conditions,  studies  of 47 

Aid  to  the  sorghum  sugar  industry,  character  of 50 

Alvord,  Mr.  H.  E.,  report  of  ...r 52-55 

American  Sugar  Company,  alleged  fraudulent  practices  of. „ . ,, :*5 

Appropriations  for  scientific  agriculture,  date  of 51 

Area  of  sorghum  sugar  growing 20 

Arid  regions,  factories  in 47 

Arkalon  Sugar  Works 10 

Attica,  character  of  factory  at J  . 

culture  experiments  at 29 

manufacturing  experiments  at 26 

multiple  effect  pan  at 26 

sugar  works,  description  of 9 

B. 

Baton  Rouge,  culture  experiments  at 23 

Bozarth,  Mr.  John,  report  of 57 

C. 

Cane,  loss  of  on  manufacture 27 

percentage  of  leaves  and  tops  in 27 

Carr,  Mr.  Oma,  report  of 72-77 

Cedar  Falls,  experiments  at 12 

prospects  of  success  at 1  <l 

Chemical  force,  disposition  of 7 

Chip,  effect  of  size  of 17 

College  Station,  culture  experiments  at 51 

diagram  of  BOrghnm  field  at,  facing  page 51 

fertilizers  used  at,  analyses  <>f 68 

Conway  Springs,  character  of  cane  crop  at M 

cnii me  experiments  at 

double  lactory  at '--'1 

experimental  run  at 86 

Imperfections  <>f  factory  at M 

laok  of  water  at M 

manufacturing  experiments  at M 

water-works  of W 

Cook,  If  r.  W.  W.,  appointment  "t.  as  agent   6 

instructions  <>f M 

report  of,  on  American  Sugar  Company 35 

LOO 


112  INDEX. 

Paga 

Southern  Kansas  Sugar  Works,  description  of , 7,8 

Spencer,  Mr.  U.  L.,  report  of 7 

Sterling,  analyses  of  crosses  and  variations  at 101, 102 

description  of  work  done  at „ 96 

general  conclusions  from  work  at 108 

result  of  analyses  at 97-100 

Stubbs,  Mr.  W.C.,  report  of :.  64,65 

Sugar,  manufacture  of,  on  a  small  scale 16 

school,  establishment  of 7 

T. 

Tour  of  inspection,  description  of 11 

general  impressions  of 12 

U. 
Uniform  time  of  ripening  cane 89 

V. 

Variations,  preservation  of 85 

Varieties  of  cane,  accidental  crossing  of 86 

best  analyses  of,  from  siugle  stalks 108 

exclusion  of  inferior 84 

experiments  in  growing 83 

giving  best  results 105, 106 

hybridizing  of 85 

seasons  of  1888  and  1889,  contrast  of 84 

W. 

Water  supply,  disasters  of  insufficient 48 

importance  of 43 

Wet  season,  e fleet  of,  on  cane 57 

Work,  character,  and  allotment  of 5 


